A Brief History 



Of the 



Woman's Christian 
Temperance Union 





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COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



A Brief History 



of the 



Woman^s Christian Temperance 

Union 



Outline Coxirse of Study for 
Local Unions 



Copyright 1907 by The Union Signal 
Evanston, Illinois 






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PREFACE 

For a number of years there has been a desire on the part of 
W. C. T. U. members for an authentic history of the organization. 
The records contained in the National Annual Reports, in the files 
of The Union Signal^ as well as the treasures of intimate knowledge 
stored away in the minds of the women who had part in the 
Crusade, have been accessible to but few; yet every white ribboner 
shooild be informed concerning the remarkable past of the Woman's 
Christian Temperance Union. 

In order, therefore, to bring these facts within the reach of the 
greatest possible number. The Union Signal published, during 1906, 
the first twelve chapters of a "Course of Study for Local Unions." 
These chapters, embodying the salient points in the history of the 
W. C. T. U., (the "Annual Report" being the basis of authority) 
are comprised in the volume now offered. Valuable supplementary 
material will be found in the "Required Readings," while the sug- 
gestive topics for papers and discussions will, in themselves, prove 
a helpful addition to the white ribboner's equipment. 

As an authentic history of a great organization, the book is (;f 
interest and value to the general public, as well as to W. C. T. U. 
members, and it is hoped that it will find a place in home and 
school and public libraries everywhere. 



CONTENTS 



Preface. 

Chapter I.— The Crusade— Part I., 7-10; Part II., 81-82. 
Chapter II.— From 1875-1879— Part I., 11-18; Part II., 83-84. 
Chapter III. — Organization of States — Part I., 19-25; Part II., 

84-85. 
Chapter IV. — Evolution of Departments, 1874-1880 — Part I., 26-31; 

Part II., 85-86. 
Chapter V. — Evolution of Departments, 1880-1883 — Part I., 32-41; 

Part II., 87. 
Chapter VI. — Evolution of Departments, 1884-1906 — Part I., 42-45, 

Part II., 87-88. 
Chapter VII. — Organization from the Standpoint of the National 

Union— Part I., 46-50; Part II., 88-89. 
Chapter VIII. — Evolution of the World's W. C. T. U. — Part I., 

51-56; Part II., 89-90. 
Chapter IX. — Formal Organization of the World's W. C. T. U., 

AND THE Polyglot Petition — Part I., 57-60; Part II., 90-91. 
Chapter X. — The Seven Conventions of the World's W. C. T. U. — 

Part I., 61-70; Part II., 91-92. 
Chapter XL — Departments of Work in the World's W. C. T. U. — 

Part I., 71-75; Part II., 92. 
Chapter XII. — Important Events of the Last Decade — Part I., 

76-80; Part II., 92-93. 
Required Readings — 94-117. 



INDEX 



Anti-Canteen Law 77, 78 

Armenian Relief Work 76 

Call for First Convention 94 

Convention — First 9 

Conventions, 1875-1879 '. 11, 18 

Conventions, 1880-1895 26, 45 

Conventions, 1896-1905 76, 80 

Conventions, World's 61, 70 

Crusade, The 7, 9 

Crusade, Causes of ^. 7 

Crusade, Leaders of 8 

Crusade, Results of 9 

Crusader Monthly, The, Purchase of 79 

Declaration of Principles 99 

Departments of Work in National W. C. T. U. — 

Classification of 46 

Evolution of 26, 45 

Anti-Narcotics, 40; Christian Citizenship, 44; Evangel- 
istic, 28; Fairs and Open Air Meetings, 37; Flower Mission, 
38, 39; Franchise, 38; Health and Heredity, 37; Institutes, 
43; Kindergarten, 42; Legislation, 30; Literature, 31; Loyal 
Temperance Legion (Juvenile), 29; Medal Contest, 45; 
Medical Temperance, 39; Mercy, 44; Moral Education, 40; 
Parliamentary Usage, 43; Peace and International Arbitra- 
tion, 43; Penal and Reformatory, 30; Physical Education, 44; 
Press, 29; Purity in Literature and Art, 42; Sabbath Observ- 
ance, 42; Scientific Temperance Instruction, 32; School Sav- 
ings Banks, 44; Social Meetings and Red Letter Days, 34; 
Sunday School, 30; Systematic Giving, 44; Temperance and 
Labor, 36; Work among Colored People, 35; Work among 
Foreigners, 35; Work among Indians, 36; Work among Lum- 
bermen, 40; Work among Miners, 40; Work among Rail- 
road Employes, 37; Work among Soldiers and Sailors, 38; 
Young Woman's Branch, 29. 

Departments in World's W. C. T. U 71, 75 

Dues — Made Lasis of Membership 47 

5 



6 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U. 

Dues — Increased 48 

Field Fund 49 

Lecturers, National 49, 50 

Official Organs Purchased 78,79 

Organization of Foreign Countries 55 

Organization of States 19, 25 

Organization of World's W. C. T. U 57 

Organizers, National 49, 50 

Polyglot Petition 57, 109 

Plan of Work— The First 94 

Questions 81, 93 

References 81, 93 

Standing Committees 26 

Superintendents, World's 74 

Superintendents, National (See Departments) 

Topics, Suggested 82, 93 

Union Signal, The, Purchase of, 78, 79; Origin and History of. ..114 

Willard, Frances E. — Elected President National W. C. T. U 32 

Founder of World's W. C. T. U 51, 60 

Willard Memorial Organizing Fund 49, 77, 117 

Willard Statue 79 

World's White Ribbon Missionaries 54 



THE CRUSADE 

CHAPTER I. 
I.— IMMEDIATE CAUSES. 

The great moral uprising of the womanhood of America known 
as the Woman's Temperance Crusade was not an isolated fact In 
history. Certain definite causes led up to it and made it inevitable. 
The causes were: (1) The civil war, which had fastened drinking 
habits upon so many of the returned soldiers. (2) The vast influx 
of foreign immigration which followed that war, bringing with It 
the drinking habits of the old world. (3) The close union between 
the liquor traffic and the government of the United States which the 
war consummated, since it was as a war measure only that Presi- 
dent Lincoln consented to the internal revenue tax upon spirituous 
and malt liquors. (4) The widening of woman's horizon through 
the work she had accomplished during the war, making it inevitable 
that when that work was no longer necessary, she should turn her 
thought to the overcoming of the great foe of all homes, north and 
south. For years Mary A. Livermore, the organizer of the Sanitary 
Commission Fair, had been saying, "The temperance question can 
never be settled until women take hold of it." She but voiced a 
conviction rapidly growing in the public mind. When women had 
tested their powers in other lines of endeavor the hour struck and 
they "took hold." ^ 

II.—ANTECEDENT EVENTS. ' " ' ] 

There were many prophecies of the Crusade. The first occurred 
in the town of Auburn, N. Y., when Mrs. Delecta Barbour Lewis, 
the mother of Dr. Die Lewis, led the godly women of that little town 
in a warfare against the saloon in precisely the manner afterwards 
so familiar to the world. They were successful in closing the one 
saloon of the town. This probably occurred about the year 1830, 
for in speaking of it in 1874, Dr. Lewis said: "More than forty 
years have passed and that town is free from saloons.'* 

So unusual an event occurring in his childhood naturally Im- 
pressed the boy, and years afterward he told the story throughout 
the country. In 1858 a crusade was carried on with marvelous suc- 
cess by the women of Dixon, 111., also in the same year, by the 
women of Battle Creek, Mich. In Dr. Lewis' biography the author, 
after recording the work at Dixon and Battle Creek, says: "Work 

7 



8 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T, U. 

similar to this was accomplished in Niles, Hinmanville and other 
places." 

Certain other sporadic efforts along Crusade lines are significant 
as showing the growth of thought on the subject of woman's tem- 
perance work. For example, in 1864 the women of East Weymouth, 
Massachusetts, organized a "Woman's Temperance Union." By a 
strange prophetic coincidence their badge was a bow of white rib- 
bon, much larger than the bow of today. They labored personally 
with the saloon-keepers of the place until they either closed their 
saloons or left town. This society also established a strict boycott 
against all who patronized or favored the saloon. These women 
never disbanded, but wore their white bow until the small bow 
became the badge of the great National organization. /^ ' 

m.—THE CRUSADE PROPER. 

These isolated events all prepared the way for the greater move- 
ment. This broke out almost simultaneously in three towns, Fre- 
donia, N. Y., Hillsboro and Washington Court House, Ohio. On 
December 15, 1873, Dr. Lewis spoke in Fredonia. On the 23rd of 
the same month he spoke in Hillsboro, and in Washington Court 
House on December 24. The women of these three towns visited 
the saloons, praying, and exhorting the saloon keepers to abandon 
the business. 

The duration of the Crusade proper did not exceed six months. 
Its results cannot be reduced to figures. The New York Tribune 
of March 14, 1874, says: "A comparison of the returns of internal 
revenue collections in two of the largest liquor districts in Indiana 
and Ohio, for the months of January and February, gives some idea 
of the effects of the woman's temperance movement upon the liquor 
traffic. The total decrease in the two districts named is $353,720.14. 
It is estimated by revenue officers that 80 per cent of the collections 
are derived from alcohol and malt liquors; the decrease of revenue 
on liquors therefore is $282,976.12." Dr. Lewis, speaking in March. 
1874, said that he believed 17,075 dram shops had been closed in 
Ohio, and he challenged anyone to prove that one had been reopened 
up to that date. 

IV.— EARLY LEADERS. 

So many names stand out prominently in connection with the 
early days that it is impossible to record them all here, but each 
state should give due recognition to its intrepid pioneers. Mrs. 
Eliza J. T. Thompson, the gentle woman whose name is loved and 
revered by members of our organization the world around, led 



THE CRUSADE. 9 

the crusading band of Hillsboro, Ohio, and was introduced as the 
leader of that band at the Convention of 1874. Mrs. M. G. Carpenter 
of Washington Court House was the brave leader of the Crusade in 
that town where its work came to greatest efficiency. "Mother" 
Stewart of Springfield, Ohio, was a prominent figure in temperance 
work before the days of the Crusade, and she early became known 
as its chief leader in Ohio. She spoke throughout the entire state 
and nation, and won great fame as an orator and intrepid worker. 
Mrs. Mattie McClellan Brown and Mrs. H. C. McCabe of Ohio, Mrs. 
Jennie Fowler Willing and Mrs. Emily Huntington Miller of Illinois, 
Mrs. Zerelda G. Wallace and Miss Auretta Hoyt of Indiana, Mrs. 
Annie Wittenmyer of Pennsylvania, Mrs. Mary C. Johnson and 
Miss Margaret Winslow of New York, Mrs. Mary A. Livermore and 
Mrs. Susan S. Gifford of Massachusetts, together with many who 
cannot be enumerated, were prominently connected with the Crusade 
In the several states. 

v.— LASTING RESULTS. 

The greatest result of the Crusade was the awakening of the 
women of the country to a knowledge of the enormity of the liquor 
traffic and to a consciousness of their own ability to work for Its 
overthrow. This consciousness, after the Crusade had passed away, 
took concrete form in an organization. The call for this organiza- 
tion was sent forth from Chautauqua, N. Y., in August of 1874. The 
convention itself was held in the Second Presbyterian church, in 
Cleveland, Ohio, November 18, 19 and 20, 1874. At that convention 
the National Woman's Christian Temperance Union was organized. 

VI.—THE FIRST CONVENTION. 

Certain noteworthy facts are connected with the first convention, 
of which Mrs. Jennie Fowler Willing was temporary chairman. 
There were present delegates from seventeen states, and four other 
states sent greetings. The seventeen states were Maine, Vermont, 
Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Alabama, West Virginia, 
Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Colo- 
rado, New Hampshire and California, and the states sending greet- 
ings were Maryland, Oregon, Rhode Island and New Jersey. Upon 
the Resolutions Committee are found the names of Mrs. Zerelda G. 
Wallace, Mrs. Allen Butler, Mother Stewart, Mrs. J. S. Collins, Miss 
Frances E. Willard, Mrs. A. W. Black, Mrs. Mattie McClellan Brown 
and Mrs. H. N. K. Goff. "On motion of Miss Willard, Mother Stewart 
was made chairman." 

The business consisted of reports of the Crusade from the several 



10 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U. 

states, adopting the constitution for the new society, preparing the 

Plan of Work and Resolutions, and the election of officers. The 

Resolutions Committee brought in a quite complex report, which 

consisted of an address to the women of America, a Plan of Work, 

the Resolutions proper, and, last, a resolution with reference to 

the celebration of the Centennial at Philadelphia. The address was 

read by Mrs. M. M. Brown; the Resolutions, by Mother Stewart; 

and the Centennial resolution, by Mrs. Gofif. The Plan of Work 

(see Required Reading) was presented by Miss Willard and it 

notable as embodying much that she afterwards worked out in the 

Woman's Christian Temperance Union. It was at this convention 

that Miss Willard offered the famous resolution: 

Resolved, That, recognizing the fact that our cause is, and will be 
combatted by mig-hty, determined and relentless forces, we will, trusting 
In Him who is the Prince of Peace, meet argument with argument, mis- 
judgment with patience, denunciation with kindness, and aU our difficul- 
ties and dangers with prayer. 

An Appeal to the Women of all Nations was voted, and also a 
Memorial to the Congress of the United States. The constitution, 
as adopted, was presented by Mrs. J. Ellen Foster of Iowa, and the 
officers elected were: President, Mrs. Annie Wittenmyer of Penn- 
sylvania; corresponding secretary. Miss Frances E. Willard of Illi- 
nois; recording secretary, Mrs. Mary C. Johnson of New York; 
treasurer, Mrs. W. A. Ingham of Ohio. 



FROM 1875 TO 1879 

CHAPTER II. 
1875— CINCINNATI. 

The National Convention of the year 1875 was held in St. Paul's 
Methodist Episcopal church, Cincinnati, Ohio, November 17-19. It 
may be noted, in passing, that the first scripture reading was given 
by Mrs. E. J. Thompson of Ohio, and embodied the 146th psalm as 
the passage "which had inspired her, 'one of the timid and weak 
ones of the earth,* to lead the first Crusade." The report of the 
corresponding secretary shows that there were twenty-one states 
auxiliary to the National society, but the report of the treasurer 
shows clearly that the basis of auxiliaryship at that early day was 
not a financial one, since nine only of the twenty-one states had 
paid dues into the National treasury, and the entire sum received 
for the year had been but $381.83. 

Certain precedents seem to have been established and certain 
customs adopted in the convention of 1875 which are familiar to 
the frequenter of the National Convention of today. Introductions 
of fraternal delegates and of kindred organizations may be noted. 
For example, the National Temperance Society of New York was 
represented by Mr. J. M. Stearns, and the woman's work in Canada, 
by Mrs. Letitia Youmans, who was invited to meet with the Com- 
mittee for International Convention. It is recorded that Mr. Stearns 
"spoke with warmth and fervor of the Crusade and its results. He 
referred to the dearth of temperance literature prior to the present 
work of women. He stated that women are now writing three- 
fourths of the temperance tracts and books, his society having paid 
five thousand dollars to women for the work of their pens in this 
behalf." 

At this convention also "the ladies of New Jersey, through one 
of their delegates, Mrs. Denman, asked that the members of the 
union join with them in silent prayer in their mid-day meeting." 
And thus our Noon-tide prayer was established as a perpetual 
trysting time. The following committees were appointed: (a) On 
Resolutions; (b) on Juvenile Work; (c) on Young Ladies' Leagues; 
(d) on Lecture Bureau; (e) on Medical Commission; (f) on Bible 
Wines; (g) on Visitation to Medical Associations and to Repre- 

11 



12 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U. 

sentative Religious Bodies; (h) on Publication Interests; (1) on 
Finance; (j) on International Convention. 

Of the special committees appointed at the previous convention, 
Mrs. Wittenmyer reported that ten thousand copies of the Me- 
morial to the United States Congress had been printed and dis- 
tributed throughout the land. "They were speedily returned and 
the signatures counted until 40,000 were reached; but when the 
memorials were returned, measuring from fifty to one hundred feet, 
the counting was discontinued, and they were marked 'uncounted 
thousands.' " The document was taken to Washington early in 
February and presented to the Senate by Senator Morton of In- 
diana. It was referred to the Committee on Finance, and both 
Mrs. Wittenmyer and Mrs. Sidmore of Washington spoke before 
that Committee. The Committee reported favorably, but the Senate 
adjourned before the business was reached. (A forerunner of many 
bills and petitions!) 

Important reports were given by Mrs. Wittenmyer relative to 
the work done preparatory to the Centennial Exposition, and a 
memorial against the sale of intoxicating liquors on the Exposition 
grounds was unanimously adopted. Mrs. S. M. I. Henry gave an 
admirable report on Juvenile work which anticipated many of the 
methods afterward adopted by the Loyal Temperance Legion. The 
existence of an official organ, The Woman's Temperance Union, 
was announced, and the cordial co-operation of the entire organi- 
zation was urged. Mrs. Zerelda G. Wallace of Indiana was chair- 
man of the Committee on Resolutions, and It is notable that the 
following resolution was passed, apparently without discussion: 

Resolved J That since women are the greatest sufferers from the liquor 
traffic, and realizing that it is to be ultimately suppressed by means of 
the ballot, we, the Christian women of this land, in convention assembled, 
do pray Almighty God, and all good and true men, that the question 
of the prohibition of the liquor traffic shall be submitted to all adult 
citizens, irrespective of race, color or sex. 

The following telegram was received from the American 

Woman's Suffrage Association, In session in Steinway Hall, New 

York: 

Frances E. Willard, Secretary Woinan's National Temperance Con- 
vention: The American Woman's Suffrage Association bids your con- 
vention God-speed. Soon may women, armed with the ballot, help make 
the laws which concern human welfare. 

MARY A. I.IVERMORE, President. 
LUCY STONE, Chairman Ex. Com. 

Mother Thompson and Miss Willard were appointed a committee 
to reply to this telegram, and they sent the following characteristic 
answer: 

The W. N. C. T. U. returns your kindly greeting and In Christian 
faith and charity abides God's will awaiting His future providence. 



CONVENTIONS, i87J-'7.9 13 

The following list of officers was elected, all by acclamation and 
unanimous vote: President, Mrs. Aunie Wittenmyer; correspond- 
ing secretary, Miss Frances E. Willard; recording secretary, Mrs. 
Mary C. Johnson; assistant recording secretary, Mrs. Mary T. Burt; 
treasurer, Mrs. Abbie F. Leavitt. 

1876— NEWARK. 

The convention of our National Centennial year was held in 
Newark. N. J., in the Central Methodist church, October 25-28. On 
the first morning a Bible Reading was conducted by Mrs. Hannah 
Whitall Smith, whose name thus appears for the first time in con- 
nection with the W. C. T. U. The addresses of welcome were given 
by "Mother Hill" of Newark, and Mrs. Denman, state president, 
while the response was voiced in eloquent language by Mrs. Mary 
T. Lathrap of Michigan. The corresponding secretary gave reports 
from twenty-six states, not all of which were regularly organized. 
The treasurer reported receipts from twenty-two states and a total 
of $657.85 during the year, with a balance of $213.63 in the treasury. 
The report of the corresponding secretary is given by states, and 
shows marked progress. We quote the following paragraphs from 
the summing up of the whole: 

Through the efforts of our committee appointed for that purpose, 
an International Temperance Convention of Women was held in 
the Academy of Music, Philadelphia (June 7 to 9 inclusive), which 
was attended by delegates from nearly all of the states, also from 
Canada, Great Britain and Japan, and from which resulted an In- 
ternational Woman's Temperance Union, the purpose of which is 
to bind the hearts and hands of women in all lands in earnest 
efforts for the overthrow of home's worst enemy. 

Under the auspices of the National Temperance Society (Hon. 
William E. Dodge, president), an International Convention of tem- 
perance men and women immediately succeeded ours, in the same 
city, our delegates being welcomed to participate in all Its delibera- 
tions, and several of their number furnishing essays, by special in- 
vitation. 

Miss Willard also records the setting apart of special days for 
the W. C. T. U. at the large summer gatherings, Old Orchard Beach, 
Lake Bluff, Chautauqua, Thousand Island Park, and others. The 
fact that Mrs. Wittenmyer and Mrs. Denman had made a trip 
to Kentucky, Tennessee and Louisiana in the interests of the 
organization, and that Mrs. Johnson and Mother Stewart had in- 
vaded Great Britain, is chronicled. She also says: 

Our Union has circulated the petition to Congress for a Com- 
mission of Inquiry into the cost and results of the liquor traffic 
In America. The desired Commission of Inquiry has been ordered 
by the Senate, in response to the wish of the united temperance 



14 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U, 

societies of the land, but the subject did not come before the House 
at the last session. 

Certain practical recommendations given by the secretary come 
to us as a prophecy of much that was to follow in after years. 
They were: 1. Industrial and evening schools. 2. Work for young 
women in schools and colleges. 3. A unification of the juvenile 
work. 4. Union church temperance prayer meetings once a quarter 
to be secured through the influence of local unions. 5. The circula- 
tion of a petition for Home Protection, asking that the ballot on the 
license question be given to women, also that liquor dealers be re- 
quired to obtain the signatures of the majority of voters and of 
women over eighteen years of age before opening shops for the sale 
of intoxicating drinks. The report was accepted, copies were or- 
dered to be published at once for distribution among the delegates, 
and the recommendations were referred to the Business Committee. 

Important reports were presented by the Committee on Medical 
Commission (Mrs. Wittenmyer, chairman), by the standing com- 
mittee on Young Ladies' Leagues (Miss Willard, chairman), by the 
Lyceum Bureau (Mrs. S. A. McClees, chairman), by the Committee 
on Juvenile Work (Mrs. Dr. Crane, chairman), by the Standing Com- 
mittee on Bible Wines (Mrs. Wittenmyer, chairman), and by Mrs. 
Hannah Whitall Smith, chairman of the Committee on Resolutions. 
The first and second resolutions were as follows: 

Resolved^ That by prayer, persuasion and petition, we will seek to 
influence those strongholds of power, the National Congress, state legis- 
latures, and municipal authorities whence the rum-shop derives its safe- 
guards and its guarantees, and 

Resolved, That to this end we will combine our efforts to secure such 
legislation as shall require the liquor dealers in every state, except In 
such states as have a prohibition law in actual force, to obtain the sig- 
natures of a majority of the women over twenty-one years of age, 
as well as that of the voters of any locality, before opening a place for 
the sale of intoxicating drinks. 

This resolution was adopted and a committee appointed to prepare 
the Home Protection Petition, Mrs. Caroline B. Buell, chairman. 

At this convention we see for the first time the familiar name of 
Mrs. L. M. N. Stevens of Maine, who was made chairman of the Press 
Committee, and here Robert's Rules of Order was adopted as the 
parliamentary authority for the National W. C. T. U. 

The ofiicers elected were the same as the preceding year, with the 
addition of Mrs. Sarah K. Bolton, who, at Miss Willard's request, 
was made assistant corresponding secretary. 

1877— CHICAGO. 

Farwell Hall, Chicago, was the place for the gathering of the 
fourth annual Convention, on October 24-27. The addresses of wel- 



CONVENTIONS, 1875-'79 15 

come were given by Mrs. Matilda B. Carse and Miss Willard, and 
the responses by Mrs. Burt and Mrs. Bolton. The address of Presi- 
dent Wittenmyer contained some practical suggestions, the closing 
suggestion being so radical that it is worthy of preservation in the 
archives of history: 

I advise that another memorial be prepared for circulation during 
the year that may be presented during the session (Congressional) 
of 1879, and may be the largest ever laid before any official body — a 
petition long enough to reach from the ice-fields of the St. Lawrence 
to the orange orchards of Florida. I would like to see in that peti- 
tion a clause asking for the disfranchisement of the habitual drunk- 
ard. This will strip the liquor dealers of their mightiest weapons in 
politics, and take out of our party contests the more combustible 
and dangerous elements. 

The treasurer's report showed a total receipt of $614.73 from seven- 
teen states, with a balance on hand of $398.94. The corresponding 
secretary presented reports from twenty-five states, nearly all show- 
ing a rapid advancement. She gave practical recommendations con- 
cerning, (1) Organization, (2) Gospel Meetings, (3) Enlisting the 
Press, (4) Influencing Other Organizations, (5) Our Union, (6) Sun- 
day Schools and Public Schools, (7) Temperance Literature, (8) 
Union Temperance Prayer-meetings, (9) Petitions, (10) Friendly 
Inns, (11) The Pledge, (12) Capital and Labor. She recorded many 
signs of promise, chief among them being the influence going out 
from the White House in Washington through the brave stand taken 
against liquors by the wife of the President, Mrs. Lucy Webb Hayes. 

At this convention the badge of the organization was definitely 
decided upon. The committee first recommended a badge of royal 
purple and violet; this was amended to a bow of white ribbon with 
a cross of red and an anchor of blue combined, woven in the fabric 
and stamped with the initials, "W. C. T. U." Miss Margaret E. 
Winslow, editor of Our Union, moved to substitute a bow of white 
ribbon with "W. C. T. U." in gold letters. This, after much discus- 
sion, was finally adopted by the convention. 

The resolutions were presented by Mrs. J. S. Kennard of New 
York, and the 13th resolution was as follows: 

Resolved, That, as the responsibility of the training of the children 
and youth rests largely upon woman, she ought to be allowed to open 
or close the rum-shop door over against her home. 

It was moved to strike out this resolution, and the first discussion 
upon the subject of woman's suffrage upon the floor of the National 
W. C. T. U. Convention then followed. The motion to strike out 
was lost, and the resolutions as presented were adopted by a vote of 
forty to twenty-six. 

The development of lines of work may be seen from the fact that, 



16 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. V, 

to the regular Standing Committees of that year were added commit- 
tees on Outdoor Gospel Work, on Southern Work, on Systematic 
Bible Readings for use of the W. C. T. U., on Securing Co-operation 
from Reformed Men, on Work for Fallen Women, and on Prison Re- 
form. The officers elected were: Mrs. Wittenmyer, president; 
Mrs. Mary T. Burt, corresponding secretary (Miss Willard having de- 
clined re-election) ; Mrs. Louise S. Rounds, assistant corresponding 
secretary; Mrs. Mary C. Johnson, recording secretary; Mrs. Mary A, 
Woodbridge (for the first time brought into National prominence at 
this convention, though a power in Ohio before this time), assistant 
recording secretary; Mrs. Abbie P. Leavitt, treasurer. 

1878— BALTIMORE. 

Eutaw St. Methodist Episcopal church, Baltimore, Md., was the 
mecca for the fifth annual convention, November 6-11. The ad- 
dresses of welcome were given by Mrs. M. A. Reilly and Mrs. Georgia 
McLeod of Baltimore (the latter address in verse), while the re- 
sponse was given by Mrs. Mary T. Lathrap of Michigan. In her 
annual address the President, among many other encouraging signs, 
said: "The amount of alcohol used in cookery has been decreased 
within the last five years at least three-fourths. The amount of 
alcohol used as a medicine and a tonic has been decreased at least 
one-third, the International Medical Congress and most of the state 
Medical Associations having been brought to consider the matter 
and to give oflacial rulings in the interest of temperance, through 
the efforts of this society." 

The corresponding secretary gave reports of work in twenty-five 
states, and the treasurer showed receipts amounting to $665.69, 
with a balance of $362.17. The pretty custom of gift making in 
token of loving appreciation seems to have been introduced at this 
convention, for Mrs. Eliza J. Thompson was presented with a 
Crusade quilt, and Mother Stewart with a fine linen table cover, 
the gift of temperance friends in Ireland. Dwight L. Moody, by 
special invitation, addressed the convention. 

The long deferred debate relative to the wisdom of advocating 
the ballot in the hands of women, on the license question only, 
occupied a large part of the proceedings of the convention. The 
subject was precipitated by the action of the oflicial organ, through 
its editor, in refusing space to communications upon this subject 
from states which were making the Home Protection petition the 
strong point of their work. Miss Willard, as a member of the Pub- 
lishing Committee, gave a full and frank statement of the situation 
during the year. It seems strange to watch the evolution of thought 



CONVENTIONS, lS7o-'70 17 

upon this subject and to note many well-known names, since pro- 
nounced in their advocacy of woman's suffrage, who then greatly 
feared the disintegration of the entire society if women's right to 
vote upon the licensing question were conceded. After prolonged 
discussion, the matter relative to the paper was settled by the pass- 
age of the following resolution: "That the Publishing Committee 
be requested to conduct Our Union as a temperance paper, and as 
the organ of this association of Christian women, not excluding 
any courteous and valuable discussion of any branch of the tem- 
perance question." 

Miss Willard, as chairman of the Resolutions Committee, pre- 
sented, among others, the following: 

Resolved, That while we stand by our action in the past, as recorded 
In the Home Protection petition and in the thirteenth resolution of last 
year, we are as an organization, and have been from the first, thoroughly 
committed agrainst in any way affiliating with the woman sufCrage move- 
ment as being irrelevant to our work. 

Even so conservative a statement as this was not allowed to pass 

the convention, but Mrs. Burt moved as a substitute: 

Resolved, That while we would not trammel our members In the 
exercise of their private views, yet we believe that as a society we can 
best subserve the interests of God and humanity by going before the 
public with one issue; therefore we deprecate the introduction of any 
side question. 

After another long discussion, the amendment carried by a vote 
of 73 to 54. 

The following resolution is of interest as bearing upon present- 
day problems: - 

Resolved, That while we recognize with gratitude the action of our 
National Government in banishing from the army and navy (as rations) 
alcoholic stimulants, confining them to the medicine chest, we earnestly 
pray that the social custom of drinking among ofiicers and those in 
authority may be speedily discontinued by individual enlightenment of 
conscience and knowledge of the danger involved. 

The difficulty of adjusting representation on any other than a 

financial membership basis was shown by the resolution presented 

by Mrs. Hannah Whitall Smith, and enthusiastically adopted: 

Resolved, That this Convention is impressed with the Injustice of that 
sort of representation which gives to a state which has but twenty W. C. 
T. Unions twenty-seven delegates, and to another which has one hundred 
and fifty unions, only nine delegates, and that the Executive Com- 
mittee is requested to devise a more equitable method of representation 
and report the same at the next annual meeting. 

It was also ordered that hereafter printed programs of the con- 
vention exercises be prepared a month in advance, (the business 
heretofore having been arranged from day to day by a special Busi- 
ness Committee.) 

The following stands on record as an indication of the develop- 
ment of our sense of law and order since the early days: 



18 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U. 

Mrs. Foster of Iowa desired to ask a question. Does the Chair 
rule that the Constitution may be set aside by a special order? The 
Chair so ruled. Mrs. Clark moved that the Chair be sustained. 
Carried. 

It is on record for the first time at this convention, and in con- 
nection with the debate on woman's ballot for no-license, that *'MrB. 
Stryker moved the previous question.*' 

The officers elected were: President, Mrs. Wittenmyer; corre- 
sponding secretary, Mrs. Mary T. Burt; recording secretary, Mrs. 
Mary T. Woodbridge; assistant recording secretary, Mrs. Caroline 
B. Buell; treasurer. Miss Esther Pugh. 

Invitations for the next convention were received from Des 
Moines, Iowa; from Indianapolis, Ind.; from the state of Michigan 
and from Newark, N. J. It was voted that the invitation from In- 
dianapolis be accepted, and it was at the Indianapolis convention 
in the year 1879 that the future policy of the National W. C. T. U. 
was settled by the election of Frances E. Willard to the National 
Presidency. 



ORGANIZATION OF STATES 

CHAPTER III. 

Seventeen states, according to available information, were repre- 
sented at the National Convention in 1874, but of that number nine 
only are known to have had an organized life prior to that conven- 
tion. The nine states reported are: Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Wiscon- 
sin, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Iowa and Massachusetts. 
The order in which they were organized was as follows: Ohio, June 
17, 1874; Michigan, June 25, 1874; Indiana, September 3, 1874; New 
York, Illinois, Massachusetts and Wisconsin each in October, Iowa, 
November 3, and New Hampshire, November 11, 1874. The cities 
having the honor to be the birthplaces of these state organizations 
are: Springfield, Lansing, Indianapolis, Syracuse, Bloomington, 
Worcester, Milwaukee, Cedar Rapids and Concord. The first presi- 
dent of Ohio was Mrs. H. C. McCabe, who wrote the constitution and 
by-laws adopted, and gave the organization the name, "Woman's 
Christian Temperance Union." The word "Christian" was suggested 
by Mrs. William Little of Delaware, Ohio. The first president of 
Michigan was Mrs. H. A. Tracy; of Indiana, Mrs. Zerelda G. Wallace; 
of New York, Mrs. Allen Butler; of Illinois, Mrs. Jennie Fowler Will- 
ing; of New Hampshire, Mrs. Armenia S. White; of Massachusetts, 
Mrs. Susan S. Gifford; of Iowa, Mrs. E. A. Wheeler, and of Wis- 
consin, Mrs. S. J. Steele. 

The story of these early conventions is similar in all of the states. 
In each the Crusade fires burned with undiminished ardor, and the 
women came together in a solemn consecration, which made their 
service almost a sacrament. Possibly business was not accomplished 
with the ease and celerity of our later days; parliamentary law was 
not a distinguishing feature of the assemblies, but the power of God 
was breathed upon the women, and they were mighty in prayer and 
in faith. All that the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of the 
past has accomplished, all that shall be wrought in the future, owes 
its possibility to these brave, true-hearted, consecrated women, who 
in the several states built for the Crusade fires a holy altar, and for 
our work a permanent, organized home. 

New Jersey is the only other state which dates back to 1874. It 
was represented by delegates at Cleveland, and those delegates 
returned to send out the call for the organizing convention, which 

19 



20 A BRIEF HISTORY OF TEE W. C. T. U. 

assembled in Newark, on December 10 and 11. A number of dis- 
tinguished men were present, also the president and the recording 
secretary of the new National Union, Mrs. Wittenmyer and Mrs. 
Johnson. Mrs. Mary R. Denman was elected president, and vice 
presidents were appointed for each of the twenty-one counties and 
for each congressional district. 

In 1875 Connecticut, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Maine, Mary- 
land and Nebraska swung into line with perfected state organiza- 
tions. Connecticut led the way at Middletown, in January of that 
year. The call was sent out by Mr. H. B. Brown, a brother of 
Mrs. Caroline B. Buell, at the suggestion of Mrs. Dr. Moody of 
Plainville, asking the women to come to the state Prohibition con- 
vention, there to organize a woman's temperance society. A large 
number accepted the call, and Mrs. Brown was chosen president. 
Her death occurring within a few months, Miss Ellen C. Barnett 
was elected her successor. 

Rhode Island state union was organized in Providence on Jan- 
uary 20, 1875, vigorous Crusade work having preceded the formal 
organization. Indeed, Rhode Island claims to have preceded the 
Crusade by about eight years, having adopted precisely the same 
methods in certain parts of the state in 1865. Mrs. Wittenmyer 
and Mrs. Gifford of Massachusetts were present at the beginning 
of the state union, and Mrs. W. F. Bainbridge was elected presi- 
dent. 

Pennsylvania had early inaugurated the Crusade, but the formal 
organization of the state was delayed until March of 1875. Mrs. 
Fanny DuBois Chase went as a delegate to Cleveland and was 
there appointed vice president for Pennsylvania. She called the 
organizing convention in Philadelphia, on March 10. A constitu- 
tion was adopted and officers elected, Mrs. Chase being made presi- 
dent. Maine was organized in August of the same year, at Old 
Orchard Camp ground, by Mrs. Wittenmyer, though a visit from 
Miss Willard the previous year had aroused great interest through- 
out the state, resulting in many local temperance organizations. 
Mrs. Dr. Charles F. Allen was the first president and Mrs. L. M, N. 
Stevens, treasurer. Two years later Mrs. Stevens was elected to 
the presidency, which position she has since filled. 

Maryland was organized November 10, 1875, at a convention 
called in Baltimore by Mrs. Mary Whitall Thomas, who later 
served the state for ten years as president, though the president 
elected at the first convention was Mrs. Frances Crook. The 
Nebraska state union came into being in the capital city of Lin- 
coln, in the same year, although the exact date is not given. Mrs. 



ORGANIZATION OF .STATES. 21 

Anson Brown of Lincoln was the first president. Delaware was 
first organized in 1S7G by Miss Willard. A storm of opposition 
met this state union, and it disbanded in 1877. In 1880, during 
a visit from Miss Willard and Miss Gordon, it was reorganized, and 
it lias since had a continuously progressive existence. Mrs. Sarah 
Bringhurst was made president at the reorganization in 1880. 

Minnesota was organized September 6, 1877, in Minneapolis. 
Mrs. A. T. Anderson of that city was the prime mover in issuing 
the call. Mrs. Wilson Holt was elected president. Kansas began 
its W. C. T. U. life in September, 1878, at a temperance meeting 
held in Bismarck Grove, near Lawrence. Mrs. M. B. Smith was 
elected president at the first convention and she presided at the 
second convention, where Mrs. Drusilla Wilson, a Quaker preacher, 
was elected her successor. Mrs. Wilson put most heroic work into 
those early years, and it is written of her: *'If Kansas has been. 
In any way *a light set on a hill,' God will give much of the credit 
for starting the blaze to faithful Drusilla Wilson." 

Immediately after the week of prayer in the year 1874, a series 
of temperance prayer meetings was inaugurated in Washington, 
D. C, by Mrs. William Stickney, Mrs. Annie M. Linville and Mrs. 
William Burris. They were largely attended, and a special bap- 
tism of the Spirit rested upon these women, as they met day after 
day, joining their sympathies and prayers with the women who 
had begun the Crusade for temperance in Ohio. A wonderful 
awakening followed; saloons were visited, and much personal work 
was done. In 1878 the National President, Mrs. Wittenmyer, vis- 
ited Washington and organized the District union. Mrs. Annie 
M. Linville was elected president. 

California entered the organized ranks in September, 1879. The 
press despatches had borne the news of the Crusade even to the 
magic shores of the Pacific, and the seed fell in many places upon 
prepared soil. Several local unions sprung up "by spontaneous 
combustion," and did the very work of the Crusade under circum- 
stances requiring even greater heroism. Grass Valley and Peta- 
luma are especially mentioned, and, through the work of the 
women, Petaluma became the first prohibition territory in Cali- 
fornia. It is not strange that it was chosen as the meeting place 
for the organizing convention. Mrs. G. S. Abbott was elected 
president. 

Colorado W. C. T. U. was born in 1880 when there were but 
three active unions in the state, at Greeley, Evans and Longmont. 
Mrs. C. D. H. Thompson had served for two years as provisional 
president of the state, and the convention came together at her 



22 A. BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. O. T. V. 

call. Mrs. Mary F. Shields, the only resident woman of the state 
known as a public speaker, was elected president. 

According to the National Minutes, the territory of Dakota was 
"staked" in 1877 by the appointment of Mrs. T. L. Riggs of Fort 
Sully as superintendent. Mrs. S. Sheldon of Yankton was named 
as superintendent during the years 1878-79-80, but no definite work 
was reported. Local unions were organized in several places dur- 
in 1881 by Miss C. E. Cleveland of Michigan and in 1882 Miss Cleve- 
land issued the call for the first territorial convention, which as- 
sembled at Canton, June 20. Miss Cleveland was elected presi- 
dent. She was succeeded the following year by Mrs. E. J. Coggins 
of Yankton, who served two years, and then Mrs. Helen M. Barker, 
who had been territorial organizer, was elected president. Mrs. 
Barker's magnificent work in developing the Dakotas is too well 
known to call for comment. It is interesting to note that one 
of the pioneer workers in Dakota was Mrs. Ruby J. Smart, the 
mother of Kara Smart, our missionary to Japan. 

The years 1882 and 1883 were great organizing years in the 
history of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. During this 
period Miss Willard, accompanied by Miss Gordon, made the mis- 
sionary tours which are so vividly portrayed in* her "Glimpses of 
Fifty Years." Setting out with the ambition to visit every city 
and town in the nation with a population of 10,000 or more, it is 
not strange that we find her record everywhere. In 1882 Missouri, 
Texas, Tennessee and Wyoming were organized. The first named 
state held its convention in Hannibal, and thither was sent as a 
delegate the w^oman who was to put the impress of her strong 
personality upon the entire state, Mrs. Clara C. Hoffman of Kansas 
City. There, for the first time, met the two women who were to 
become close comrades and firm friends. Mrs. Hoffman was elected 
president and, as soon as she could be freed from her duties as 
principal of a high school, she threw herself with vigor into the 
work of organizing her large territory. 

The Tennessee union was organized in Nashville, and an array 
of talent was present, Mrs. Margaret Bottome, Mrs. Hannah Whitall 
Smith, Mary A. Wadsworth and Mrs. Sallie F. Chapin, superin- 
tendent of Southern work. Mrs. Johnson of Memphis was elected 
president, but her death occurred within six months and the work 
did not take strong root in the state until 1884, when Mrs. Lide 
Meriwether became president. In less than six months after Mrs. 
Meriwether's election, thirty-seven unions were organized. Wy- 
oming state union also dates to 1882, but no records of its early 



ORGANIZATIOy OF STATES. 23 

days are preserved. Texas state union came into being May 9, 
1882, in Paris, through the instrumentality of Miss Willard, and 
Mrs. Senator Maxey was elected president. 

The state W. C. T. U. of Florida was organized in Jacksonville, 
on January 18, 1883, by Miss Willard. There had been active work 
in Jacksonville for five years previous, and, evidently, in other 
parts of the state, as several towns were represented in the board 
of officers and superintendents, afterwards elected. Mrs. Ellen 
Call Long was chosen as president, but she resigned, when Mrs. 
Walter Gwynn was appointed to fill her unexpired term. During 
this visit Miss Willard addressed the state legislature in the cause 
of temperance. 

Washington, East and West, was organized in 1883, during the 
memorable visit of Miss Willard and Miss Gordon to the Pacific 
coast. Mrs. Lucy A. Switzer, as vice president of the National 
Union, had done much work in the state during the three preceding 
years, and many local unions had been organized. W^est Washing- 
ton was formally organized at Seattle, June 28, with Mrs. Margaret 
Le Sourd as president. East Washington was organized at Cheney, 
July 20, Mrs. T. R. Tannatt, president. In 1884 Mrs. Switzer be- 
came president of East W^ashington union, retaining the office until 
1891. The names of Mrs. Switzer, Mrs. Mary Bynon Reese and 
Mrs. Narcissa White Kinney are indelibly imprinted upon the his- 
tory of the W. C. T. U. in the great state of Washington. 

Montana was also organized in 1883 by Miss Willard and Miss 
Gordon. The organizing convention met in the South Methodist 
church in Helena, and Mrs. Dr. Clarke was elected president. Mrs. 
Clarke removed from the state within a year and Mrs. Howey, 
superintendent of Press work, served out her unexpired term and 
continued as state president for a number of years. 

In 1883 Miss Willard organized Georgia in Atlanta, Mrs. W. C. 
Sibley, president; Nevada, at Reno, Mrs. H. Elizabeth Webster, 
president; North Carolina, at Greensboro, name of president not 
given; South Carolina was also organized either in 1881 or 1882, at 
Charleston, and the president until the day of her death, April 19, 
1896, was one of the most brilliant women the W. C. T. U. has 
ever given to the public — Mrs. Sallie F. Chapin. Oregon, Virginia, 
West Virginia and New Mexico are also recorded as having been 
organized in 1883, the first by Miss Willard, w^ith Mrs. H. K. Hines 
as president, the second by Mrs. Caroline B. Buell, while no name 
has been given as organizer of West Virginia. New Mexico was 
organized by Mrs. Shields, president of Colorado, though Miss 
Willard had previously visited the territory. Southern California 



24 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U, 

was also organized by Miss Willard in 1883, the call for the or- 
ganizing convention having been sent out by Mrs. W. D. Gould, 
National vice president for Southern California. The place of the 
convention was Los Angeles in the First Presbyterian church. The 
principal question discussed was the need of a separate state or- 
ganization for Southern California, and it was decided that a 
division was necessary if the work of so large a territory was to be 
efficiently carried on. With the full consent of the Northern Cali- 
fornia W. C. T. U. the Southern division was organized, and Miss 
Martha N. Hathaway of Los Angeles was chosen president. 

We regret that it is impossible to give other than mere state- 
ments with reference to the remaining states from which data has 
been received. Idaho was organized in 1887, by Mrs. Henrietta 
Skelton, and Indian Territory in 1888, chiefly through the instru- 
mentality of Mrs. Jane Stapler, daughter of a Cherokee chief. Mrs. 
Stapler became the first president. The two Dakotas were organized 
in 1889, at the time of separate statehood. Miss Addie Kinnear 
accepting the presidency of North Dakota, and Mrs. Helen M. Barker 
retaining her position as president of South Dakota. The new Iowa 
W. C. T. U. came into existence in 1890, after the one previously 
existing had left the National organization, and thus forfeited the 
right to the name of Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Mrs. 
Buell and Miss Pugh were present at the organization, and Mrs. 
Marion H. Dunham was elected president. Very heroic work, 
against great odds, was done from the first by the new Iowa W. C. 
T. U. and now, after fifteen years of separation, the two state or- 
ganizations have again become one. 

Utah was organized December 3, 1891, by Mrs. Mary Bynon Reese. 
The first president was Mrs. L. M. Bailey of Ogden. So far as data 
has been received by us, no other state unions have been organized 
since 1890, save the colored unions of some of the Southern states, 
although several must be of more recent date. 

The first state W. C. T. U. among the colored women of North 
Carolina was organized at Greensboro, July 15, 1890, by Mrs. M. C. 
Woody and Mrs. C. C. Gorrell. The president elected at that time 
was Mrs. M. J. O'Connell. For various reasons, chief among them 
being that the president and the secretary soon moved to other 
states, this union ceased to have an active existence. In 1896 Mrs. 
Lucy Thurman made a lecturing tour through the state, and so 
inspired the women that a committee was appointed, consisting of 
Mrs. R. C. Bearden, Mrs. A. E. Morehead and Miss Mary A. Lynch, 
to issue a call for a second organizing convention. Representatives 



ORGANIZATION OF STATES. 25 

from six local unions met at Salisbury, July 15. 1S96. and or- 
ganized the Thurman W. C. T. U. of North Carolina, with Miss Mary 
A. Lynch as president, which position she still fills. 

The Willard Union of Louisiana was organized in 1898 by Mrs. 
Lucy A. Thurman. Mrs. Frances A. Joseph was elected president 
and under her leadership much advanced work has been done 
through the years. Virginia and Tennessee No. 2 were also or- 
ganized by Mrs. Thurman, the one in 1902, the other in 1903. 

The plan adopted in the early days was for the National Union to 
appoint a provisional vice president in each state, upon whom de- 
volved the duty of interesting the women and bringing about a 
state organization. For several years each National Convention 
elected vice presidents for the organized as well as the unorganized 
states. This led to great confusion as the president of the state 
had no power to represent her state on the National executive com- 
mittee. The manifest injustice of this became more and more 
apparent, and, at the Baltimore convention in 1878, the new consti- 
tution was adopted, which made the presidents of the several state 
unions vice presidents of the National, and thus gave the power of 
choice to the local constituency through their delegated bodies. 
There are now sixty-one state and territorial unions, with an aggre- 
gate paid up membership, at the National Convention of 1906, of 
186,658. This does not include honorary members, or members of the 
Loyal Temperance Legion. 



EVOLUTION OF DEPARTMENTS, 1874-1880 

CHAPTER IV. 

The various activities of the National Woman's Christian Tem- 
perance Union which are now grouped under departments were, for 
the first years of our existence, carried on by Standing Committees. 
The change of method was made at the Boston convention of 1880 
and is recorded as follows: "Moved and carried that Superin- 
tendents of Departments be the term substituted for Standing Com- 
mittees." 

Miss Willard has said that she was led to seek this change by 
Mrs. Hannah Whitall Smith, who, when asked to serve on an im- 
portant committee at some previous convention, replied that the 
ideal committee consisted of three members, one a permanent invalid 
and another permanently out of town. This led Miss Willard to 
consider the great advantages which must accrue to the organization 
if specialists could be developed for its many lines of work. At the 
first convention over which she presided the change was made. 

It is a mistake to assume that the expansion of our work began 
with the adoption of the department system. Many and varied were 
the activities of the early days. The list of Standing Committees 
was not published in the proceedings of the first three annual con- 
ventions, but in the report of the fourth convention it appears and 
shows twenty Standing Committees, with the names of chairmen, 
as follows: 

On Presentation of Memorials to Congress, Mrs. Wittenmyer; 
Incorporation of National Union, Mrs. J. Ellen Poster; on Sunday 
School Work, Mrs. M. J. Hackett; on Influencing the Press, Mrs. 
L. M. N. Stevens; on Work in Colleges and Seminaries, Mrs. L. H. 
Washington; on Outdoor Gospel Work, Mrs. Abbie F. Leavitt; on 
Southern Work, Mrs. J. W. Wilkie; on Organizing Young Ladies* 
Unions, Mrs. Fanny W. Leiter; on Systematic Bible Readings for 
Use of W. C. T. U.'s, Mrs. Hannah Whitall Smith; on Publishing 
Minutes and Reports, Miss Esther Pugh; on Memorials and Peti- 
tions, Mrs. Mary A. Woodbridge; on the All-Day Prayer Meeting, 
Mrs. M. J. Clark; on Securing Co-operation of Reformed Men, State 
Presidents; on Juvenile Work, Mrs. Allen Butler; on Presenting 
Temperance Work Before Other Organizations, Mrs. P. S. J. Talbot; 
on Work for Fallen Women, Mrs. J. L. Collins; on Friendly Inns, 

26 



EVOLUTION OF DEPARTMENTS. 27 

Miss Jennie F. Duty; Committee on Leaflets, Miss Julia Colman; 
on Prison Reform, Mrs. W. K. Denny; on Auditing Bills of Inter- 
national Fair, Mrs. Harriet French. 

At the fifth convention the number of Standing Committees had 
increased to twenty-three; but in 1880, when the department sys- 
tem was launched, the number had again decreased to twenty. 
Names of departments and of superintendents were as follows: 

Juvenile Work, Miss Elizabeth W. Greenwood, Brooklyn, N. Y.; 
Sabbath School Work, Miss Lucia E. F. Kimball, Chicago, 111.; 
Scientific Instruction, Mrs. Mary H. Hunt, Boston, Mass.; Temper* 
ance Literature, Miss Julia Colman, New York City; Legislative 
Work, Mrs. J. Ellen Foster, Clinton, Iowa; Young Women's Work, 
Mrs. Frances J. Barnes, New York City; Bible Readings, Mrs. 
Hannah Whitall Smith, Germantown, Pa.; Inducing Corporations 
and Employers to Require Total Abstinence in Their Employes, 
Mrs. M. C. Nobles, Newark, N. J.; Influencing the Press, Miss Mary 
C. Bancroft, Brookline, Mass.; Evangelistic Work, Mrs. S, M. I. 
Henry, Evanston, 111.; Friendly Inns, Restaurants, etc., Miss Jennie 
F. Duty, Cleveland, Ohio; Prison and Jail Work, Mrs. J. K. Barney, 
Providence, R. I.; Unfermented Wine, Miss Mary Allen West, Gales- 
burg, 111.; Drawing Room Meetings, Mrs. Mary C. Johnson, Brook- 
lyn, N. Y.; Reform Work, Mrs. Anna M. Hammer, Newark, N. J.; 
Work Among Our Foreign Population, Indians, Chinese and Colored 
People, Miss Sarah P. Morrison, Knightstown, Ind.; Commission 
of Enquiry and Statistics of the Liquor Traffic, Mrs. Annie Witten- 
myer, Philadelphia, Pa.; Publishing National Organ, the Executive 
Committee; Day of Prayer in Week of Prayer, Miss Frances E. 
Willard, Mrs. Ellen M. Watson, Pittsburgh, Pa., Associate; Special 
Committee on Railroads, Miss Willard, Mrs. M. J. Morton, Trenton, 
N. J., Associate; Organizer in Unorganized States, Miss Willard, 
Mrs. G. H. McLeod, Baltimore, Md., Associate. 

Thus it will be seen that several of the lines of work entrusted 
to Standing Committees by the fourth convention were not retained 
as departments by the seventh National Convention; also that 
various new endeavors had evolved at the time of the adoption of 
the department plan. It would be a matter of interest to the his- 
torian to record the many activities which, at different times in our 
history, have been listed as National departments, but we must 
confine ourselves to such as are in existence today, leaving to future 
years the story of those outgrown or left behind in our onward 
evolution. Even of those which have shown greatest fitness to 
survive we can give but the barest outline sketch, leaving the 



28 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U. 

student to fill in the details from the abundant material at hand 
for this phase of our study. 

FROM THE BEGINNING. 

Nine only of the existing departments can be said to date unin- 
terruptedly to the convention of 1874, though several others now 
in active operation were there prophetically outlined. The nine 
are: 1. Evangelistic. 2. Juvenile. 3. Young Women's Branch. 4. 
Unfermented Wine at Sacrament. 5. The Press. 6. Legislation. 
7. Sabbath School. 8. Penal and Reformatory. 9. Literature. 

1. Evangelistic. Unquestionably the Evangelistic Department 
underlies all others in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, 
and yet it was not mentioned under that name until the year 1878. 
In 1877 a committee on "Outdoor Temperance Work" was appointed, 
Mrs. Abbie F. Leavitt of Ohio, chairman. In 1878 the name was 
changed to Temperance Evangelistic Committee, Mrs. Mary E. 
Hart of New York, chairman. In 1888, under the same title, Mrs. 
S. M. I. Henry became chairman. In 1880 it became a department 
and Mrs. Henry served as superintendent for the two succeeding 
years. 1882-84, Mrs. Hannah Whitall Smith; 1885-86, Mrs. Annie 
M. Palmer of Iowa. In 1888, after preaching the annual sermon in 
the Metropolitan Opera House, New York City, Miss Elizabeth W. 
Greenwood was made National superintendent of the Evangelistic 
Department, which position she has since held. Almshouse Work 
was added to this Department in 1898. 

2. Unfebmented Wine at Sacrament. Resolutions upon this 
subject were passed at the conventions of 1875, '76, '77 and '78. 

, In the minutes of the fourth convention this note is found: "Miss 
/ Willard presented some unfermented wine for communion purposes 
I which the ladies were invited to sample during the recess." In 
\ 1878 the first Standing Committee was appointed, Mary Allen West, 
chairman. In 1880, it became a department, Mary Allen West, 
superintendent. The name of the department has been frequently 
changed; it appears as "Unfermented Wine," "To Secure the Use 
of the Unfermented Juice of the Grape at the Lord's Table," "Unfer- 
mented Sacramental Wine," and again, in 1897, as "Unfermented 
Wine at Sacrament." The several superintendents have been: 
Mary Allen West, 1880-83; Mrs. George S. Hunt, Portland, Me., '84- 
'85; Mrs. M. C. Nobles, Atlantic Highlands, N. Y., '86; Mrs. R. A. 
Esmond, Syracuse, N. Y., '87-'88. For the two following years the 
department seems to have been merged with the Evangelistic 
department, but In 1890 it was reinstated with Mrs. Esmond aa 



EVOLUTION OF DEPARTMENTS. 29 

Buperin ten dent. She served for two years. In 1892 and '93, Mrs. 
E. G. Hibben of Peoria, 111.; 1894 to 1900, Miss Mary Moore of 
Attica, N. Y.; in 1900, at the Washington Convention, Mrs. H. E. 
HpUingshead of Cleveland, Ohio, the present superintendent, waa 
appointed. 

3. Juvenile Work. Under various titles this line of work has 
been with the organization from its inception. Miss Willard 
presented the report at the second convention and was made 
chairman of the Standing Committee at the third convention. 
She evidently resigned her position, for it is reported at a 
later stage in the minutes: "Mrs. Dr. Crane, chairman of the 
Committee on Juvenile Work, presented a partial report." At the 
Convention of 1877 Mrs. Allen Butler of New York, was made chair- 
man. In 1880 Miss Greenwood became first superintendent of 
Juvenile work, which position she held for two years. In 1882, 
Mrs. Nellie H. Bayley, Chicago; '83, '84, '85, '86, Mrs. Anna M. Ham- 
mer; in 1887, Mrs. Helen G. Rice was made superintendent, which, 
position she held until the Los Angeles Convention in 1905, being 
succeeded by Miss Margaret Wintringer. The department was 
changed from Juvenile Work to Loyal Temperance Legion in 1892 
and from a department to a branch, the superintendent becom- 
ing General Secretary of L. T. L. Branch at the Baltimore Con- 
vention in 1895. 

4. Young Woman's Branch. In 1874 two standing committees 
were appointed with special reference to work among young women. 
They were: 1, to prepare a letter to the young women of the land; 
2, to organize Young Ladies' Leagues. No report w^as given at the 
first convention but at the second convention, Miss Jennie F. Duty 
was made chairman of the Committee for Young Ladies' Leagues. 
In 1877 Mrs. Frances W. Leiter of Ohio, was made chairman of the 
Committee on Organizing Young Women's Unions; '78, Miss Fannie 
McCartney, 111.; Mrs. Frances J. Barnes gave the report at the Con- 
vention of 1880, therefore must have been appointed in 1879. She 
was made first superintendent and continued until the convention 
of 1897 when Mrs. Ella A. Boole took the position. In 1898 Mrs. 
Boole was succeeded by Miss Clara Parrish, who was followed by 
Mrs. Cora Seberry, 1903. 

5. The Pkess. Under the title '*0n Influencing the Press" this 
department dates to our beginnings, being mentioned under Section 
2, Article 2, of the first Plan of Work. It is first listed among the 
standing committees for 1877. Chairman, 1877 and '78, Mrs. L. M. 



£0 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T, U. 

N. Stevens; 1879, Mrs. A. C. Hillyer of Wisconsin; 1880, Miss Mary 
C. Bancroft, superintendent; 1881, Miss Laura Moore of Barnet, Vt.; 
1882, Mrs. Caroline B. Buell; 1883, '84, '85, and '86, Mrs. Esther T. 
Housh of Vermont. In 1884 its name was changed to "The Press." 
Miss Mary Henry of Illinois was superintendent 1889, Miss Alice 
E. Briggs 1890, Mrs. Harriet B. Kells 1892, Miss Lodie Read of In- 
diana 1893, '94 and '95, when Mrs. Katharine Lent Stevenson, Na- 
tional corresponding secretary, became her successor, with Mrs. 
Minnie B. Horning as her associate. In 1896 Mrs. Horning was 
appointed superintendent, which position she has since held. 

6. Legislative. Under varying titles the work of this depart- 
ment has been carried forward since 1874. Mrs. Annie Witten- 
myer, Mrs. Mary A. Woodbridge and Mrs. J. Ellen Foster served as 
chairmen when it was listed under Standing Committees. Mrs. J. 
Ellen Foster was superintendent from 1880 to '88; 1884-86, Mrs. Mary 
A. Woodbridge; 1887-91, Mrs. Ada M. Bittenbender of Nebraska; 
1892, Mrs. Catherine Waugh McCulloch, Chicago; 1893, Mrs. Frances 
Belford, Denver; 1894, Mrs. Mary Towne Burt; 1895, under the title 
"Legislation and Enforcement of Law," Mrs. Margaret Dye Ellis, 
the present superintendent. Since 1896 Mrs. Ellis has spent each 
winter at the national capital. 

7. Sunday School. This department was carried forward in a 
necessarily desultory manner until 1877, when Mrs. E. J. Hackett 
of Minnesota was made chairman of the standing committee on 
Sunday School Work. She was re-appointed in 1878, but Miss Lucia 
E. F. Kimball succeeded her in 1879. In 1880 Miss Kimball became 
the first superintendent, serving continuously until 1893, when Mrs. 
Julia Bidwell of New York was appointed. In 1894 Mrs. Stella B. 
Irvine of St. Paul, Minn., now of Riverside, Cal., was made superin- 
tendent, which position she still fills. 

8. Penal and Reformatory. Much work in the early years was 
done in the spirit if not in the direct methods of this department. 
In 1877 a standing committee on Prison Reform was appointed, 
Mrs. W. K. Denny, chairman. Mrs. J. K. Barney succeeded Mrs. 
Denny in 1878 and served until the work became a department in 
1880, when she was made first superintendent. The scope of .the 
work was greatly widened by the addition of Police Station and 
Almshouse Work. Mrs. Barney served until her resignation in 
1890. In that year the department was divided into three parts, 
Mrs. Mary Teats of Las Vegas, N. M., becoming superintendent of . 
Prison and Jail Work, Miss C. E. Cofiin of Brooklyn, of Police Sta- 
tion Work, and Miss M. A. Morrison of Wayne, Mich., of Almshouse 



EVOLUTION OF DEPARTMENTS. 31 

Work. In 1892 Mrs. Jane M. Kinney of Michigan became superin- 
tendent of Penal Work, which position she has since filled. The 
word "Reformatory" was added in 1892 and Almshouse was again 
listed with the department. In 1898 the Almshouse work was given 
to the Evangelistic department. 

9. Literature. "The careful circulation of temperance litera- 
ture" is specified as a part of the original Plan of Work. In the 
Report of 1877 the name of Miss Julia Colman of New York appear:* 
as chairman of the committee on Leaflets, also in 1878, as chairman 
of committee on Temperance Literature. In 1880 she was made 
superintendent of the department of Temperance Literature and 
continued to fill the position until 1891, when she was succeeded by 
Mrs. F. H. Rastall of Chicago. Mrs. Rastall was succeeded in 1893 
by Mrs. Katharine Lent Stevenson. In 1895 the superintendenc/ 
was filled by Mrs. Esther T. Housh of Massachusetts, who was fol- 
lowed in 1897 by Miss Helen L. Hood of Illinois. In 1898 Miss 
Ellen D. Morris of Missouri was made superintendent. Miss Morris 
was re-elected through the successive years until 1905 when Mrs. 
Mae Davis of Texas became National superintendent of the depart- 
ment of Temperance Literature. 



EVOLUTION OF DEPARTMENTS 
1880-81-82-83 

CHAPTER V. 

The year 1880 stands as the dividing line between the early and 
later methods of work in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. 
Several circumstances combined to make this inevitable. It was 
the first convention over which Prances Willard presided as the 
acknowledged leader of our forces, with the right and duty accorded 
to her of placing the impress of her wonderful personality upon the 
entire organization. It was the convention which, by the adoption 
of the department system, prepared the way for the development 
of specialists in our varied activities and thus made possible the 
broader work of the later years. It was also a convention marked 
by the adoption of several new lines of work which were to become 
prominent factors in our most important future achievements. 

The department of Scientific Temperance Instruction was propheti- 
cally outlined in the convention of 1874, in Section 3, Article 4 of the 
Plan of Work, as follows: "Teaching children in Sabbath Schools 
and Public Schools the ethics, chemistry and hygiene of total abstin- 
ence." Some necessarily desultory work was done in the early days, 
chiefly in the lines of inquiry and preparation for what was later 
to be developed. But as an indication of the ploughing and seed- 
sowing of the first few years, the following important points may 
be noted: 

Temperance instruction was first inaugurated in Juvenile work, 
with Miss Willard as chairman. In the Plan of Work submitted at 
the second convention, 1875, it was recommended that "The Tem- 
perance Catechism, The Temperance Text-Books, the Bible Rule of 
Temperance, and Alcohol and Tobacco should be thoroughly taught 
the members of the Juvenile Union." 

At the convention of 1876, it was resolved, "That the ruinous 
work done in our colleges and universities by intemperance should 
arouse our greatest fear and awaken our greatest efforts to secure 
such moral influence and such legislation as shall protect the gifted 
sons of this republic from this curse which makes all culture vain 
and all life a failure." The same year the report on Juvenile work 
asks, "that our children in our secular schools be taught the effect 

32 



EVOLUTION OF DEPARTMENTS. 33 

of alcohol on the system," and Miss Willard recommended in her 
report as corresponding secretary that a manual of instructions and 
exercises should be published for the use of juvenile societies. 

At the next convention, 1877, the president, Mrs. Wittenmyer, 
said in her address, "There has been most encouraging advance 
during the past year in the Sabbath schools and Public schools," 
and Miss Willard moved, "the raising of a committee on introducing 
temperance work into schools and colleges" v^hich was unanimously 
adopted; and in her corresponding secretary's report she said, "Three 
years of experience seem to indicate that the children of the country 
may best be reached through the schools. A manual of temperance 
instruction for use in public schools, embodying readings, recita- 
tions, illustrations from natural science and experiments, is greatly 
needed." One of the resolutions that year was as follows: "Resolved, 
That we recognize the relation of scientific truth to temperance and 
that we urge the teaching of God's natural laws respecting heredity 
and health as an essential part of temperance education." Mrs. 
Lucy H. Washington was appointed chairman of the "Work in 
Schools and Colleges." 

At the convention of 1878, Mrs. S. J. Steele became chairman of 
the "Committee on Colleges, Seminaries, and Public Schools." Mrs. 
Wittenmyer, in her president's address, said, "Much work has been 
done in the past in our educational institutions to fortify our young 
people against the drink habit. Many of the teachers' associations 
and schools and colleges have been visited with good success." One 
of the resolutions recommended Richardson's Lesson-Book for gen- 
eral exercises in the higher grades of the public schools and Miss 
Colman's Juvenile Temperance Manual for use in the juvenile work. 
This year for the first time the reports of the various committees 
are printed in an appendix. 

At the convention of 1879, held in Indianapolis, Mrs. V/ittenmyv?r 
said, in her president's address, that advancement had been made in 
putting temperance lesson books in the public schools and colleges 
and that this subject had been laid before the National Association 
of Teachers which met in Philadelphia and that the movement was 
heartily endorsed. The following resolution was adopted: "Thit 
we consider the introduction of scientific temperance into the regu- 
lar course of study in our public schools as one of the most helpful 
lines of our work. Therefore, we urge the unions here represented 
to take immediate action to secure this in their various localities." 
Mrs. Mary H. Hunt attended this, her first National Convention, by 



34 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U. 

Miss Yvillard's special invitation, and she was appointed chairman of 
the standing committee on Scientific Instruction. 

At the convention of 1880, held in Boston, Mrs. Hunt made her 
first report. She spoke of Richardson's text-books as having been 
introduced into several of the states; also of the new primary book 
by Miss Julia Colman, of which she said, **It has been prepared with 
the utmost care with reference to authenticity of statement and is, 
we feel, just what we want." Summing up the work accomplished 
up to that time, she showed that Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, 
New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Ohio, New Jersey, Delaware, 
Maryland, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, and Nebraska had all inter- 
viewed school boards, addressed teachers' meetings and had intro- 
duced temperance text-books into many schools. Much of this had 
already appeared in the reports of the states as embodied in the 
corresponding secretary's report year by year. Concerning these 
efforts Mrs. Hunt made this statement: "It is not too much to say 
that the school boards of the country, as far as our work is organ- 
ized, are in a state of siege at the hands of the mothers, urging 
that the schools shall utter nature's solemn warning against the 
cup." It will be remembered that at this convention the designa- 
tion, "superintendent of department," was substituted for "chairman 
of committee" in all lines of our work. Miss Willard nominated 
Mrs. Hunt for superintendent of Scientific Instruction. She was 
appointed and held the position continuously, with some changes 
in the wording of the name of the department, until her death in 
April, 1906. During these years, federal and state laws were passed 
making it obligatory that scientific temperance instruction be given 
in connection with the study of physiology in the public schools of 
all states and territories and in those schools directly under federal 
control. A large number of text-books were also secured which met 
the requirements of the lav/s concerning the subject. The record of 
this particular line of W. C. T. U. activity, under Mrs. Hunt's leader- 
ship, is known throughout the world. At the Cincinnati convention, 
in 1903, the name of the department was changed, at Mrs. Hunt's 
request, to "Bureau of Scientific Temperance Investigation and De- 
partment of Scientific Temperance Instruction in Schools and Col- 
leges." This important w^ork is now in charge of Mrs. Edith Smith 
Davis of Milwaukee, Wis., who was appointed at the convention 
held in Hartford, Conn., 1906. 

2. Drawing-room meetings became a distinct feature of our work 



EVOLUTION OF DEPARTMENTS. 35 

at the Boston convention, Mrs. Mary C. Johnson of Brooklyn, N. Y., 
being appointed superintendent. Mrs. Johnson held the position 
till 1883, when Mrs. Margaret Bottome of New York succeeded her, 
holding the position until 1886. In that year Mrs. Harriet B. Kells 
of Mississippi was named and she was succeeded by Mrs. Anna M. 
Hammer of New Jersey, in 1887. Mrs. Hammer appointed Mrs. 
Mary D. Tomlinson as her associate, and, in 1893, at the Denver 
convention, Mrs. Tomlinson became superintendent, which position 
she still holds. The name was changed in 1899, at Mrs. Tomlin- 
son's request, to "Social Meetings and Red Letter Days." 

3. Work Among Foreigners. No mention is made of special 
work among foreigners until the convention of 1880. Then a de- 
partment of "Work Among Foreign Population, Indians and Colored 
People" sprang into full fledged existence with Miss Sarah P. Mor- 
rison of Indiana as superintendent. It was to have been expected 
that a department of so large a scope could not long exist under 
its first form. Indeed, no other department has known such fre- 
quent change of form as this. In 1881 five departments appear In- 
stead of the one, with the all-embracing title of the preceding year: 
Work Among Germans, Mrs. Henrietta Skelton; Among Indians, 
Mrs. Mary Stapler; Among Chinese, Mrs. R. A. Hull; Among Scan- 
dinavians, Miss Saugstad; Among Colored People, Mrs. Jane M. 
Kinney. In 1882 separate work for the Indians and Chinese seems 
to have been dropped, but the other subdivisions w^ere continued. 
In 1883 Mrs. Sophie F. Grubb, of Kirkwood, Mo., was made superin- 
tendent of Work Among Foreigners and retained the position, with 
associates representing the different nationalities, until 1899, at the 
Seattle convention, when she became lecturer for the department, 
and Mrs. Annie G. Darley of Colorado was made superintendent. 
Mrs. Darley continued the work until the Philadelphia convention 
in 1904, when Mrs. Cornelia B. Forbes of Connecticut was made 
superintendent. Mrs. Forbes retired at the Hartford convention, 
1906, and was succeeded by Mrs. Mary B. Wilson of Pennsylvania. 
The maintaining of a W. C. T. U. missionary at Ellis Island to meet 
the incoming foreigners is one of the special features of this de- 
partment and was first reported in the year 1891. Miss M. L. Orr 
is the present missionary. 

4. Work Among Colored People. Of the two subdivisions of the 
department as first originated, that of ''Work Among Colored Peo- 
ple" became a separate department in 1881, with Mrs. Jane M. Kin- 
ney of Michigan as superintendent. Mrs. Frances E. Harper of 
Pennsylvania became superintendent in 1883 and continued to fill 



36 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U. 

the position until 1890. In 1891 Mrs. J. E. Ray of North Carolina 
was a committee on "Home and Foreign Missionary Work for Col- 
ored People." In 1895, Mrs. Lucy Thurman, the present incumbent, 
gave her first report as superintendent. Six of the southern 
states have separate state organizations among the colored women, 
and, in the National Union, those state presidents hold the same re- 
lation of vice-presidents of the National organization as do the 
presidents of the white unions. 

5. Work Amoxq Indians lapsed after 1880, but was again taken 
up in 1884 and *85, with Mrs. H. C. McCabe of Ohio as superin- 
tendent. It was not again taken up as a National department, 
though worked in many of the states, until 1901, at the Fort Worth 
convention, when Mrs. Dorothy J. Cleveland of Oklahoma was made 
superintendent. After Mrs. Cleveland's death Mrs. Dorcas J. 
Spencer of California became superintendent in 1904, which position 
she still holds. 

1881. 

The next year was also prolific in the evolution of departments 
which have had an abiding place in the Woman's Christian Temper- 
ance Union. The new departments taken up that year were: "Re- 
lation of Intemperance to Labor and Capital," "Hygiene," "Work 
Among Railroad Employes," "Hereditary Tendencies," and "State 
and County Fairs." 

1. Temperance and Labor. This department has had many titles. 
In 1881 and '82 it was "Relation of Intemperance to Labor and 
Capital," with Mrs. M. C. Nobles of New Jersey as superintendent. 
In 1883-85, "Relation of Intemperance to Labor and Capital with 
Relative Statistics," Mrs. M. C. Nobles, superintendent for 1883, 
Mrs. W. S. Woods of Iowa, 1884, and Mrs. C. S. Jackson, Iowa, 1885. 
In 1886-88 it was "Relation of Temperance to Labor," with Mrs. 
Augusta Cooper of New Jersey, superintendent. In 1889-94, "Rela- 
tion of Temperance to Labor and Capital," Mrs. Anna Sneed Cairns 
of Missouri, superintendent for 1889 and 1890; the National General 
Officers for 1891, Mrs. S. E. V. Emery of Michigan for '92 to '94 
In 1895 the name was again changed to "Relation of Temperance 
to Capital and Labor" and Mrs. Mary G. Stuckenberg of Massachu- 
setts was made superintendent. Mrs. Stuckenberg continued in the 
superintendency until 1905, but the name was changed, at her re- 
quest, in 1896 to "Temperance and Labor," its present title. In 
1905, at the Los Angeles convention, Mrs. Mae M. Whitman of Cali- 
fornia was made superintendent. 



EVOLUTION OF DEPARTMENTS. 37 

2. Health and Hkrkdity. A department of "Hygiene" was rec- 
ommended at the eighth annual convention in Washington, D. C., 
and Dr. Sarah Hackett Stevenson of Chicago was made its superin- 
tendent. At the same convention a department of "Study of Hered- 
itary Tendencies" was evolved, with Mrs. M. L. Griffith of Pennsyl- 
vania as superintendent. In the following* year Mrs. J. H. Kellogg 
of Battle Creek, Mich,, became superintendent of the department of 
"Hygiene" and Dr. Mary Weeks Burnett of Chicago of "Heredity." 
They continued to hold their respective positions until 1886, when 
Dr. Bessie V. Cushman of Chicago succeeded Mrs. Kellogg as super- 
intendent of Hygiene. In 1887 the name Hygiene was changed to 
"Health," with Miss Mary H. Mather of Delaware as superintendent. 
In 1889 the two departments were combined with Dr. Orpha Bald- 
win of Ohio as superintendent, only to be divided the next year, 
with "Health" under the charge of Dr. Annette Shaw of Wisconsin 
and "Heredity" under Mrs. R. A. Armstrong of California. The 
division continued until 1893 with Miss Julia Colman of New York 
as superintendent of Health during '91 and '92. In 1893 they 
were again combined and Dr. Annette Shaw served as superintend- 
ent for two successive years. She was succeeded in 1895 by Dr. 
Louise C. Purington of Massachusetts, the present superintendent. 

3. Work Amoxg Railroad Employes. This department, which 
now embraces work among railroad men, street car men, policemen, 
firemen and postmen with their respective families, and aims to 
carry the Gospel of Christ and the temperance pledge to them all, 
was first adopted in 1881, with Miss Jennie Smith of Maryland as 
superintendent. During the first two years the development of the 
department was phenomenal. There were 1191 conversions, among 
them 250 young men and one hundred heads of families. Much 
literature was distributed and half hour meetings were held at 
noon-tide among the men in the shops wherever practicable. In 
1892 Mrs. Caroline M. Woodward of Nebraska succeeded Miss Smith 
as superintendent and Miss Smith became Railroad Evangelist, 
which position she still holds. In 1898 the present superintendent, 
Mrs. Evalyn N. Graham, was appointed. 

4. State and County Fairs. Mrs. G. A. Moody was first super- 
intendent of this department. She was succeeded in 1882 by Mrs. 
Mary A. Leavitt, and, in the same year, doubtless upon Mrs. 
Leavitt's resignation, by Mrs. Josephine Nichols of Indiana, who 
markedly developed the department during the fourteen years in 
which she served as superintendent. Mrs. Nichols was in charge 
of the work at the Paris Exposition and served the organization 
with distinguished ability in many other large national or inter- 



38 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U. 

national gatherings. Upon Mrs. Nichols' death, in 1896, Mrs. H. T. 
Guild of Missouri became superintendent. At Mrs. Guild's request 
the name of the department was changed in 1900 to "Fairs and 
Open Air Meetings," and many lines of W. C. T. U. activity, all 
tending to the building up of public sentiment for our cause, are 
grouped under this comprehensive title. Mrs. Guild was succeeded 
in 1906 by Mrs. Julia D. Phelps of California. 

1882. 

Only three new departments came into being at the convention 
held in Louisville, but those three were destined to have wide in- 
fluence upon our work. They were Franchise, Work Among Sol- 
diers and Sailors, and Flower Mission. 

1. A Committee on Franchise was recommended at the Wash- 
ington convention, and Miss Willard, Mrs. Mary A. Livermore and 
Mrs. J. Ellen Foster were appointed as that committee. In 1882 the 
department was formally adopted with Mrs. Mary G. C. Leavitt of 
Boston as superintendent. In 1883 Mrs. Zerelda G. Wallace suc- 
ceeded Mrs. Leavitt and following her the superintendents have 
been Rev. Anna H. Shaw, Mrs. Theresa A. Jenkins of Wyoming, 
Dr. Louise C. Purington, Miss Marie C. Brehm, Mrs. Ella S. Stewart 
and Dr. Maude Mcllvain Sanders. It is generally conceded that 
the W. C. T. U. has been more effective than any other one agency 
in overcoming prejudice and winning conservative women to a be- 
lief in the ballot as a powerful instrument for the protection of 
the home and the welfare of the nation. 

2. Vv^oRK Among Soldiers axd Sailors. This department was 
adopted in 1882 and it is generally supposed to have grown out of a 
question put to Miss Willard by a beautiful young girl in whose 
home she was stopping during one of her organizing tours: "Miss 
Willard, you have looked after all classes but the soldiers and 
sailors. My brother is a soldier and he tells me of the terrible 
temptations to which the men are subjected. Why do you not do 
something for them?" Miss Willard replied, "It shall be done." 
At the next convention she recommended the department, and Mrs. 
S. A. McClees of New York became superintendent, which position 
she filled till the Baltimore convention in 1895, when Mrs. Ella M. 
Thacher of New Jersey was made her successor. Much heroic work 
was done in the pioneer days, Mrs. McClees personally visiting many 
ships, holding meetings on board and securing libraries therefor. 
She also secured the teaching of scientific temperance in the military 
and naval academies at West Point and Annapolis. Of late years the 



EVOLUTION OF DEPARTMENTS. 39 

work has taken on large proportions and the efforts of the W. C. 
T. U., through this department, in the battle against the canteen 
has gone down to history as one of our most heroic achievements. 
The department is being worked in nearly every state and territory 
and temperance societies are organized among the soldiers in many 
posts and forts as well as among the sailors on many battleships. 

3. Flower Mission. The sweet, pathetic story of Jennie Cas- 
sedy's life and work is known to the world. When Miss Willard 
went as a pilgrim to the shrine of her sick room she saw at once 
the possibility of linking this beautiful mission with the sterner 
lines of temperance activity, and the department was adopted at the 
next convention, with Miss Cassedy as superintendent. She filled 
that position until her death. In 1894 Miss Alice L. Sudduth of 
California became superintendent and she was succeeded by Mrs. 
Angle F. Newman of Nebraska, in 1898. In 1899 Miss Ethel Austin 
Shrigley of Pennsylvania was superintendent and she was suc- 
ceeded by Miss Leila M. Sewall of Massachusetts, the present super- 
intendent, at the convention of 1902. The scope of the department 
has been greatly enlarged in later years so that it is now, In many 
places, a practical mission to the poor and destitute as well as a 
glimpse of brightness and cheer in countless saddened lives. 

1883. 

We note four of our present departments as appearing for the 
first time in the report of the convention held in Detroit, Mich., 
October 31 to November 3, 1883. These four are ''Inducing Physi- 
cians not to Prescribe Alcoholic Stimulants/' "Effort to Overthrow 
the Tobacco Habit," "Suppression of the Social Evil," and "Work 
Among Lumbermen." 

1. Medical Te:mperance. Miss Jennie F. Duty of Ohio became 
the first superintendent of the department which has, in later years, 
played so important a part in our history. No report of her work, 
however, appears in the record of the convention of 1884, but the 
department was continued with Mrs. Rev. J. Butler of New York 
as superintendent. In 1885 Mrs. Butler reported pioneer work done 
in twenty-six states and real aggressive effort in several, New York 
state, where the v/ork originated, taking the lead. Mrs. Butler also 
reported at the Minneapolis convention in 1886, but the department 
was allowed to lapse at that convention. It appears again in 1888 
under the title of "Non-Alcoholics in Medicine," with Mrs. Caroline 
A. Leech of Kentucky as superintendent. And in 1889 it lapsed and 
was not adopted by the National until 1895, when at the request of 



10 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U. 

the executive committee of the state of New York, where the de- 
partment had been continuously worked through the years, it was 
reinstated under the name "Non-Alcoholic Medication," and Mra 
Martha M. Allen of that state was appointed to the superintendency, 
which she has since continuously held. At the Los Angeles con- 
vention, at Mrs. Allen's request, the name was changed to "Medi- 
cal Temperance." The need of the department has been mani- 
fested by the popularity it has attained, no fewer than sixteen states 
in the year 1905 having attempted legislation against the wide- 
spread evil. 

2. Anti-Narcotics. Mrs. Mary Bynon Reese of Ohio was the 
first superintendent of this department. In 1885 she was succeeded 
by Mrs. J. H. Harris of Indiana, the name having been changed at 
that time to Department of Narcotics. In 1886 the present incum- 
bent, Mrs. E. B. Ingalls of Missouri, was made superintendent, 
having thus served for a longer continuous term than any other of 
our National superintendents, save the late Mary H. Hunt. At the 
Buffalo convention, in 1897, the name of the department was changed 
to Anti-Narcotics, by which it is now known. 

3. Work Amoxg Lumbermen. This work was first placed in 
charge of Mrs. R. G. Peters of Michigan. The following year the 
scope of the department was enlarged by the addition of the words 
**and Miners." In 1886 the two branches were again divided, and 
Mrs. Peters continued her work for Lumbermen, while Mrs. Emma 
Obernauer of Michigan was placed over the work for Miners. In 
1887 the special work for miners seems to have lapsed, Mrs. Ober- 
nauer appearing as Mrs. Peters' associate in Work for Lumbermen. 
In 1891 Mrs. Mary C. Upham of Wisconsin was made superintendent 
of Work for Lumbermen and Mrs. Winnie F. English of Illinois of 
Work for Miners. Mrs. Upham continued until the convention of 
1898, when she was succeeded by Mrs. Emma Shores, also of Wis- 
consin. Mrs. Shores was succeeded in 1905 by Mrs. W. A. Loyne of 
New Hampshire. The second half of the original department was 
continued in Mrs. English's hands until 1898, w^hen Mrs. Mary E. 
Kuhl of Illinois succeeded her. Mrs. Kuhl continued the work of 
superintendent until 1903, when she gave place to Mrs. Anna A. 
Walker of Montana. Mrs. Walker is the present superintendent. 

4. Our department of Purity, in its earliest days seems to have 
laid its emphasis upon the negative rather than the positive side 
of the great subject. Mrs. Dr. Kellogg of Michigan was made super- 
intendent of the department "For the Suppression of the Social 
Evil" and continued to hold that position until 1885, when the name 



EVOLUTION OF DEPAUTMENTt^ 41 

was changed to "Social Purity." with Miss Willard as superinten- 
dent and Mrs. Kellogg as associate. In 1888 there was a further 
change of name to "Department of White Cross and White Shield,' 
Miss Willard and Mrs. Kellogg continuing at the head of the work. 
Dr. Kate C. Bushnell was made department evangelist and Mrs. 
Ada M. Bittenbender legal adviser. In 1891 Dr. Julia Morton Plum- 
mer became associate with Miss Willard. In 1892 Dr. Mary Wood- 
Allen, the present World's superintendent, took charge of the Na- 
tional department, which position she held until 1898, when she 
gave place to Mrs. Helen L. Bullock, the present superintendent. 
The name had. meantime, dropped the prefix ** Social" and become 
the Department of Purity, thus emphasizing the positive rather 
than the negative. Various subdivisions have appeared from time 
to time. Mothers' Meetings became a separate department in 1898 
under the charge of Mrs. Jessie Brown Hilton, but has since been 
merged into the general work of the department. In 1898 Rescue 
Work was also listed by itself with Mrs. Isabel Wing Lake of Il- 
linois, as superintendent. Mrs. Lake continued to hold that position 
until 1903, when the department was left vacant through her ill 
health. It was not filled until 1905, when Mrs. L. B. Smith of 
Kansas became superintendent. At the convention of 1906 the 
name of the Purity department was changed to Moral Education. 
The present subdivisions of the main department are Mothers' and 
Parents' Meetings, White Ribbon Recruits, White Cross and White 
Shield, Curfew, and Public School. Mrs. Helen L. Bullock is the 
superintendent, with her daughter. Miss Florence Bullock, as as- 
sociate. 



EVOLUTION OF DEPARTMENTS, 1884-1906 

CHAPTER VI. 

1884. 

Three of our present departments were adopted at the St. Louis 
convention in the year 1884. They were, Kindergarten, Purity in 
Literature and Art, and Sabbath Observance. Each was adopted 
under a name slightly different from the one it now bears, but 
each had in it the essential principles of the present department. 

1. ''Temperance Kindergarten Work'* had for its superintendent 
from 1884 to 1889 Mrs. E. G. Greene, first of New Hampshire and 
afterwards of California. In 1889 the department was dropped, to 
be resumed in 1890, with Miss Lily Reynolds of Georgia as super- 
intendent, under the title "Kindergarten." In 1891 and 1892 Miss 
Mary L. McDowell of Chicago served. In 1895 Miss Mary Bannister 
Willard, Miss Willard's niece, was elected, serving for two years. 
In 1897 Miss Jennie M. Williamson of Chicago was made superin- 
tendent. In 1898 the department seems to have been again dropped. 
In 1899 Miss Martha Crombie Wood was made superintendent. No 
record appears of the work again until 1902, when Miss Clara 
Wheeler of Michigan, the present incumbent, was made superin- 
tendent. 

2. "Suppression of Impure Literature" was evolved as a depart- 
ment in 1884, and during that and the following year the care of 
the work was placed in the hands of Miss Lucy J. Holmes of New 
Hampshire. In 1886 Mrs. Naomi Tomlinson of Indiana served as 
superintendent, and in 1887 Mrs. Deborah Leeds of Pennsylvania. 
In 1888 the name was changed to ''Purity in Literature" and the 
work was placed in the hands of Mrs. Samuel Clements of Penn- 
sylvania. In 1889 no record of the department appeared, but in 
1890, under the title of "Purity in Literature and Art," it was listed 
as a subdivision in the department of Purity and was placed in 
the hands of Mrs. Emilie D. Martin of New York. In 1891 it was 
made a separate department, with Mrs. Martin as superintendent, 
which position she still holds. 

3. "Suppression of Sabbath Desecration" was first listed as a de- 
partment in 1884 and placed in the hands of Mrs. Josephine C. 
Bateham of Ohio. At Mrs. Bateham's request the name was 
changed to "Department of Sabbath Observance." In 1896, owing 

42 



EVOLUTION OF DEPARTMENTS 43 

to failing health, Mrs. Bateham was forced to decline renomination, 
and Mrs. Varila F. Cox of New Jersey was made superintendent. 
Mrs. Cox has filled the superintendency through the succeeding 
years. 

1885-86. 

The two following years were not prolific in originating perma- 
nent departments. Not one was evolved in 1885 and but one jn 
1886. That one was "Training School for Temperance Workers," 
with Mary Allen West as superintendent. In 1889 the name was 
changed to "School of Methods," and in 1899 to "W. C. T. U. Insti- 
tutes." After Miss West's heroic death in Japan Mrs. Narcissa 
White Kinney of Oregon was made superintendent, and she gave 
a most interesting report at the Chicago convention in 1893. At this 
convention the department of Schools of Methods was combined 
with that of Parliamentary Usage and the combination was placed 
in the able hands of Mrs. Anna S. Benjamin of Michigan. Mrs. 
Benjamin continued to superintend the two departments until 1899, 
when they w^ere again divided and Miss Mary Hadley of Indiana, 
now Mrs. Mary Hadley Hall, w^as placed in charge of the new-old 
department of "W. C. T. U. Institutes," which position she still 
holds. 

1887. 

At a very early stage in its history the Woman's Christian 
Temperance Union became noted for the magnificent order main- 
tained in the conduct of its meetings, and, among all the women 
of the organization, it soon became the natural thing to consult 
Mrs. A. S. Benjamin of Michigan, upon all fine points of parliamen- 
tary law and usage. In 1887 she w^as formally appointed superin- 
tendent of the newly adopted department, and she has filled the 
position for eighteen consecutive years. Her reputation as a parlia- 
mentarian is recognized without as well as within the circles of the 
Woman's Christian Temperance Union. 

1888-89. 

No new department was evolved in 1888 and but one in 1889, but 
that one was the important department of "Peace and International 
Arbitration," with Mrs. Hannah J. Bailey of Maine as its super- 
intendent. Mrs. Bailey has filled the superintendency through all 
the succeeding years and was also made World's superintendent at 
the first World's Convention in Boston in 1891. 



44 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U. 

1890. 

The Atlanta convention, in 1890, witnessed the adoption of two 
of our best known departments, those of "Physical Education" and 
"Mercy." Each of the two has been continuously under the superin- 
tendency of one woman. Mrs. Frances W. Leiter of Ohio was made 
superintendent of the Physical Culture department and, in 1898, 
at the St. Paul convention the name was changed, at her request, 
to that of Physical Education. 

Mrs. Mary F. Lovell of Pennsylvania, was placed over the new 
department of Mercy and, under her leadership through the years, 
the work of the W. C. T. U. in mercy has increased and its influence 
is felt and acknowledged all over the nation. Mrs. Lovell is also a 
World's superintendent, her department having been adopted by the 
World's convention in London in 1895. Miss Marshall Saunders of 
Canada, author of "Beautiful Joe," was made the first superin- 
tendent, but, upon her resignation, Mrs. Lovell succeeded to the 
position. 

1891. 

"School Savings Banks" and "Systematic Giving" were both 
adopted at the Boston convention in 1891. Mrs. Sara Louisa Ober- 
holtzer of Pennsylvania, has been the superintendent of the first 
named through all the years, and, under her leadership, it has be- 
come a powerful adjunct in our great educational propaganda. The 
first World's Convention, held in Boston during the same year, 
adopted the department and made Mrs. Oberholtzer its superin- 
tendent. 

The first superintendent of "Systematic Giving" in the Woman's 
Christian Temperance Union was Mrs. Esther Tuttle Pritchard of 
Illinois. In 1890 the work had been listed under a Standing Com- 
mittee, with Mrs. Pritchard as chairman, but In 1891 It appears 
under the list of departments. Mrs. Pritchard filled the position 
until 1896, when Miss Esther Pugh of Ohio succeeded her. Miss 
Pugh was succeeded in 1905 by Mrs. Katherine B. Patterson of Ok- 
lahoma. 

1893, '94 and '95. 

One department only appears as having evolved during the three 
succeeding years, that of "Christian Citizenship," which was adopted 
at the Baltimore convention, with Mrs. S. F. Beiler of Washington, 
D. C, as superintendent. Mrs. Beiler was able tj serve only one 
year, during which she did excellent work. The following 



EVOLUTION OF DEPARTMENTS 45 

year the department was left vacant. In 1897 ii was listed with 
"Legislation," with Mrs. Margaret Dye Ellis as superintendent. In 
1898 it was placed in the hands of Mrs. Caroline B. Buell of Con- 
necticut. In 1902, at the Portland convention, Mrs. Buell was suc- 
ceeded by Mrs. Mary Jewett Telford of Colorado, who held it until 
her death in August, 1906. The vacancy was filled at the Hartford 
convention by the election of Mrs. Helen D. Harford of Oregon. 

1896. 
The last department thus far adopted by the National W. C. T. 
U. is that of Medal Contests, which became a distinct line of our 
work at the St. Louis convention in 1896. Much medal contest work 
had been done in previous years, the idea having originated in 1886, 
with Mr. W. Jennings Demorest of New York. Madam Demorest 
was a loyal member of the Woman's Christian Temperanc*^ I nion 
and Mr. Demorest a staunch prohibition leader, so the medal contest 
work was naturally carried on by the unions all over the country. 
But, as the Demorest contests were distinctively Prohibition c(»n- 
tests, the idea came to Mrs. A. E. Carman of Illinois, that a system 
of W. C. T. U. contests might be inaugurated with excellent results 
to all our lines of work. She presented this plan to Miss Willard 
in Chicago, and, at the next convention the department was adopted. 
In 1897 the W. C. T. U. and the Demorest Contest systems were 
united. At the Toronto convention it was adopted as a World's 
department and Madam Demorest was made superintendent. She 
held this position until her death in March, 1898, when she was suc- 
ceeded by Mrs. Carman, the present World's and National superin- 
tendent. 



ORGANIZATION FROM THE STANDPOINT 
OF THE NATIONAL UNION 

CHAPTER VII. 

In our six months backward journeyings we have considered the 
Crusade, the salient features of the early years as evidenced in the 
annual conventions, the organization of the several states and ter- 
ritories and the evolution of the various departments. Only one de- 
partment remains untouched, and that the foundation one of organi- 
zation from the standpoint of the National union. 

This department is sufficiently comprehensive in its scope to re- 
quire a chapter for even its superficial treatment, and that this 
chapter should follow rather than precede the others relating to 
department work lies logically in the fact that, as we understand 
the term today, it is of quite recent development. In the beginning 
organization may almost be said to have been self-effected. It was 
enough that any one should issue a call for an organizing conven- 
tion, and, straightway, groups of earnest women came together 
and the work was done. Very imperfect as to machinery were many 
of those early organizations, but each had the compelling might of 
an earnest purpose, and, therefore, possessed the vital element of 
abiding power. 

Then came the long organizing tours of Miss Willard and others 
of the National officers. Speakers for our cause seemed to spring 
up spontaneously and those were the days when a temperance meet- 
ing, especially a temperance meeting addressed by a woman, de- 
manded and found an audience. It is impossible to estimate the 
number of meetings held under the auspices of the Woman's Chris- 
tian Temperance Union during the first electric decade of our ex- 
istence, but that they were well-nigh numberless is evidenced by the 
results. Still it was evident that centralization was needed for 
lasting results. 

In the report of the convention of 1883, held in Detroit, Mich., 
there appears for the first time the classification of departments 
into Organization, Preventive, Educational, Evangelistic, Social and 
Legal, with which we have grown so familiar. Under Organization 
are listed, Southern Work, Work on the Pacific Coast, and Work 
Among Colored People, North, while following these subdivisions 
appear for the first time the names of three National organizers, 

46 



DEPARTMENT OF Oh'GAXIZATIOX 47 

Miss Henrietta G. Moore, Mrs. S. M. Perkins and Mrs. A. M. Palmer. 
At this convention the National treasurer, Miss Esther Pugh, as 
chairman of the Finance Committee, recommended "that each state 
consider at its next annual meeting the propriety of increasing the 
National dues to ten cents per member, the sum to be paid semi- 
annually." 

We introduce this apparently irrelevant quotation at this point 
because it becomes apparent, as one closely studies the records of 
the early days, that the absence of adequate financial backing was 
responsible for the fact that more systematic work was not done 
in pushing the organization from the National center. For some 
time the question of exact and adequate dues paid from the state 
to the National union had been a burning one. At the Indianapolis 
convention in 1879 a discussion on this subject was one of the spe- 
cially memorable features of the convention. Mrs. J. Ellen Foster 
made a masterly presentation of the subject, in which she showed 
clearly that the constitutional requirement of five cents per mem- 
ber for the National treasury was not being lived up to by the 
several states. She also showed the unfairness of the then existing 
system of delegation from congressional districts rather than in 
proportion to the state membership. We quote: 

"New Hampshire reports one hundred unions, and paid into the 
treasury $10.00; at five cents per member this would give one hun- 
dred unions a membership of two each, which is not a supposable 
case. New York reports sixty unions and paid $75.57, being a mem- 
bership of about twenty-five per union. It is quite fair to presume 
that New York has filled the requirement. Massachusetts reports 
one hundred and eighty unions with a membership of over nin^j 
thousand; she paid $25.27. Iowa reports ninety unions; she pail 
$90.57. New Hampshire has three seats. She reports more than 
one hundred unions, but should any number of those unions become 
weary in well doing she would still have her three seats. Vermont 
has the same representation though she reports but nineteen aux- 
iliaries. Massachusetts has eleven seats and one hundred and forty- 
eight unions. Pennsylvania has twenty-seven seats and t\senty 
unions. Illinois has nineteen seats and thirty-four unions Iowa 
has nine seats and eighty unions. New York has thirty-six sf-ats and 
sixty unions. Ohio has twenty seats and one hundred and seven- 
teen unions. 

"Thus it appears that the annual meeting does not represent, in 
just proportion, the temperance work done, or the rank and file 
of our Gk)spel Temperance Army." 



48 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T, U. 

The remedy proposed was a change of constitution making one 
delegate for every three hundred paid members, instead of one 
delegate for every congressional district, also the strict and careful 
enforcement of the existing law requiring the payment of five cents 
per member. 

Mrs. Mary T. Lathrap made an eloquent address opposing the 
change, arguing that it would greatly retard the work to have the 
plan to which the states were just becoming adjusted overturned in 
so complete a manner; she also said: 

"The representation of money — instead of mind and work — will 
give us not only a financial basis (which all desire), but it goes 
farther and makes finance the basis of the National union; a most 
unfortunate condition for an organization whose existence and work 
are due to that love for God and for men which seeks only the good 
of souls." 

Miss Willard and Mrs. Mary H. Hunt spoke eloquently in favor 
of the change. Miss Willard summed up the benefits which would 
accrue as follows: First, a iTew impetus in the work of Increasing 
the number of local societies; second, greater energy in working 
up states now poorly organized; third, establishing our society on 
a sound financial basis. Mrs, Hunt pertinently inquired if the con- 
secration of which they had heard so much during the entire con- 
vention was a consecration of everything save the pocketbook, and 
showed how necessary is a sound financial basis to all genuine work. 

The changes were adopted and the good results became apparent 
at the very next convention, as evidenced by the fact that the re- 
ceipts from the several states were more than double those of the 
preceding year. Still the sum in the treasury continued all too 
inadequate for the real needs of the w^ork, and it soon became ap- 
parent that a larger affiliation fee was necessary. At St. Louis, in 
1884, Miss Pugh gave formal notice that, at the following convention, 
she, or some one in her place, would move to amend the constitu- 
tion, making the fee ten cents instead of five, as heretofore. Singu- 
larly, we find no record of the question having been brought before 
the convention the following year, but that it must have been is 
evidenced by two facts: First, at the General Officers' meeting, oc- 
curring November 5, 1885, *'The National treasurer was instructed 
to invite state unions to pay the ten cents per member as soon as 
possible." Second, in the constitution appended to the printed 
Report we find, under Article VI., ''Each state organization shall 
pay to the National treasury an amount equal to ten cents per mem- 
ber of each auxiliary." The total receipts reported at Minneapolis 



DEPARTMENT OF ORGANIZATION 49 

in 1886 were $9,244.10, as against $7,431.98 the preceding year, thus 
showing that the states responded very promptly to the constitu- 
tional requirement. 

Given a financial basis at all commensurate with the needs of 
the rapidly growing work, the department of Organization at once 
took on larger proportions. Whereas in 1885 there was but one or- 
ganizer, Miss Narcissa White, in 1886 there were eight organizers 
and three National lecturers. The numbers fluctuated from year to 
year, but there was, on the whole, a steady increase. In 1896 twenty 
organizers and eight lecturers were listed under the department of 
Organization. 

It was not, however, until the Memorial Organizing Fund became 
a recognized part of the work of each local union that the depart- 
ment of Organization was able to take on its present proportions. 
The germ thought of this fund seems to lie in a recommendation 
from Miss Willard's annual address at the Baltimore convention 
in 1895, that each county in the country send at least one dollar a 
year to the National treasury to be used as a field fund for pioneer 
work. At St. Louis the following year $1,980.63 was reported as 
"Field Fund." At Buffalo it had decreased to $593.95. At St. Paul 
the inspiration came to make this a fund of two dollar offerings 
from each union as a special memorial to the life and work 
of the great leader whose removal to a higher realm of service this 
convention was called to mourn. It was felt by all that no memorial 
could so fitly represent her as the society into which she had 
wrought the innermost fibre of her mind and soul; therefore, in 
connection with the memorial services recommended for February 
17, it was urged that the unions all over the country make a special 
offering of not less than two dollars for the advancement of organ- 
ization in needy fields. 

Straightway the work took on new life. The corresponding secre- 
tary had long been superintendent of the department of Organiza- 
tion, but her work had been largely the making of bricks without 
straw. Under the new system a fund was placed at her disposal 
which, though inadequate to the great need, yet enabled her to reach 
the most needy fields, justified the giving of much free literature, 
and, in short, made the National Organizing Department a right 
hand of power in our work. 

At the Convention of 1906 the National superintendent, Mrs. S. 
M. D. Fry, reported a total of $5,347.38 received during the year; 
twenty-four state unions received appropriations from this fund; 
$588.79 was spent for literature. The total expenditure for 1906 



50 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U. 

was $4,727.02. Thirty-two women were last year listed as National 
organizers and nine as National lecturers. Without doubt the Na- 
tional department of Organization and the Memorial Organizing 
Fund is entitled to a proportion of the credit for the securing of 
13,000 new members in 1906. 



THE EVOLUTION OF THE \t^ORLD'S WO- 
MAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPER- 
ANCE UNION 

CHAPTER VIII. 

All great events have a world-wide significance, and, sooner or 
later, that significance must make itself felt outside the boundaries 
of the country in which the events themselves transpired. This has 
proved markedly true with reference to the Woman's Crusade of 
1873 and '74 and the resultant organization of the Woman's Chris- 
tian Temperance Union. After the lapse of thirty-two years the 
story of the Crusade is familiar in more than fifty countries around 
the world and the magic spell of the white ribbon binds together 
loyal hearted women of every continent and of every zone. 

Early prophecies of this rapid growth and wide expanse of 
woman's work for temperance were not lacking. The first may be 
noted in the visit to the second annual convention of the National 
W. C. T. U., held in Cincinnati, Ohio, of Mrs. Letitia Youmans 
of Canada, who, inspired by a kindred purpose, came down to learn 
of our methods before organizing the women of her own country. 
Mrs. Youmans in after years became a familiar figure in our Na- 
tional Conventions, and her magnificent work for Canada is a matter 
of grateful record on the part of all who are today associated with 
the W. C. T. U. in that northern land. 

In January of 1876 "Mother" Stewart visited Great Britain by 
special invitation of the temperance forces, and spent six months 
in almost uninterrupted meetings in England, Scotland and Ireland. 
She was hailed everywhere with great enthusiasm and was, to a 
great degree, the inspirer of our organized work in that land, where 
the white ribbon is now the symbol of such great moral force and 
far-reaching influence. From the report of the National correspond- 
ing secretary for the year 1876 we quote: 

"Our recording secretary, Mrs. Mary C. Johnson, has visited 
Great Britain, by invitation of Christian women there, for the pur- 
pose of introducing our Gospel work. Going in the spirit of the 
Crusade, Mrs. Johnson's labors have awakened an earnest spirit of 
inquiry and activity among the thoughtful and comparatively leis- 
ure class. During her six months in England and Ireland she ad- 
dressed one hundred and twenty-one audiences and conducted forty 
prayer meetings." 

51 



52 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U. 

As the result of the work of these two Crusaders, Mrs. Margaret 
Parker of Dundee, Scotland, issued a call for the Christian women 
of Great Britain to come together for the purpose of organizing a 
national society. They came in large numbers and the British 
Women's Temperance Association was organized on April 21, 1876, 
at Newcastle-on-Tyne. The Scottish Union, afterwards auxiliary 
to the B. W. T. A., but now directly affiliated with the World's W. 
C. T. U., is also said to have been the direct outgrowth of Mother 
Stewart's visit to Scotland. Mrs. Margaret Parker was made first 
president of the British Women's Temperance Association and Mrs. 
Margaret Blaikie of the Scottish Christian Temperance Union. 

We quote again from the corresponding secretary's report for 
1876: 

"Through the efforts of our committee appointed for that purpose, 
an International Temperance convention of women was held in the 
Academy of Music, Philadelphia, June 7-9, inclusive, which was at- 
tended by delegates from nearly all the states, also from Canada, 
Great Britain and Japan, and from which resulted an International 
Woman's Temperance Union, the purpose of which is to bind the 
hearts and hands of the women in all lands in earnest efforts for the 
overthrow of the home's worst enemy." 

Mrs. Margaret Parker was made president of that International 
Union, but evidently the time had not arrived for a world's organi- 
zation, for we hear nothing of its further work, and it is to be 
doubted if it ever had a genuinely active existence. As a prophecy 
of future events, however, it cannot fail to be of interest. 

The inspiration for the organization of the World's Woman's 
Christian Temperance Union, as it exists today, came to Miss Wil- 
lard during her two most remarkable years of organizing activity, 
1882 and '83. At the tenth annual convention held in Detroit, Mich- 
igan (October, 1883), Miss Willard closed her annual address with 
this definite recommendation: 

"Finally, dear sisters, let me present to you a plan which is the 
outgrowth of my special studies in this most eventful year. On 
the Pacific Coast I felt the pulsations of that newest America, which 
includes that true 'Garden of the Gods' — California, with its semi- 
tropical climate, and invites not only Europe, but Asia to a seat in 
its banqueting hall. I looked into the mystic face of the Orient, 
and rejoiced in the breezy breath of Japan, the France, even as 
China is the England of the East Pacific Coast. I learned the magic 
transformation in the civilization of Japan, its readiness to take up 
Western customs and the consequent danger lest our vices become 



A WORLD MOVEMENT 63 

domesticated there. I visited the opium dens of San Francisco and 
was appalled by the degradation resulting from a poison habit which 
curses the victim more, but his home less, than does the frenzy 
of the alcohol dream. Meanwhile missionaries to the Orient assured 
me that 'since the Crusade' a great temperance work is going on in 
the cities of India, China and Japan, among the English-speaking 
population, and letters from our Connecticut president, Mrs. Tread- 
well, now traveling upon the continent of Europe, assure me that 
leading pastors of Paris are anxious to have a Woman's Christian 
Temperance Union organized in that metropolis of the whole world. 
I knew our British cousins across the line and across the sea would 
heartily co-operate in the movement, and so resolved to urge my 
sisters to signalize the epoch we rejoice in by the formation of an 
International Woman's Christian Temperance Union that shall belt 
the globe and join East and West in an organized attack upon 
the poison habits of both hemispheres. We can do no more at thia 
convention than to authorize the initial steps of such a movement. 
For a year or two the work must be wholly carried on by correspon- 
dence and through the press. Few have as yet the international 
spirit. I found more of this class on the other coast than here. 
These friends, better informed than we, and not at present so en- 
listed in temperance work, will largely aid in this new and most 
catholic endeavor. I suggest little more today than that the prestige 
of our great society be the fulcrum for a preliminary lift in this 
splendid enterprise." 

In the minutes of the General Officers' meetings following this 
convention, November 5, 1883, we find this statement: *The Gen- 
eral Officers will report one year from now plans for the organiza- 
tion of a World's Woman's Christian Temperance Union." No defi- 
nitely tabulated plan seems to have been presented at the St. Louis 
convention, but in Miss Willard's address we find this statement: 

''Letters have been sent out to the leading missionaries of Chris- 
tendom, asking their advice and co-operation as to the best methods 
of initiating this great enterprise, which will require years for its 
fulfillment. Representative leaders of the women's boards have 
been conferred with; responses show good-will and interest, but 
action must come from our own ranks. The next step I would 
suggest is the designation of leading speakers, who shall be em- 
powered to present an address from us to each of the women's mis- 
sionary boards, during the coming year, asking the appointment of 
one of their number on a general committee of conference, whose 
report shall be presented at our meeting in 1885. 



54 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T, U. 

''A reconnoissance of the field is essential to success, and I am 
glad to announce that Mrs. Mary Clement Leavitt, one of our ablest 
and most trusty superintendents, has already arranged to visit the 
Sandwich Islands and hopes to go thence to Australia, India, China 
and Japan." 

At the Philadelphia convention in 1885, from that same prolific 
source of assured fact and prophetic vision, the President's address, 
we quote: "Her (Mrs. Leavitt's) letters in The Union Signal have 
kept us thoroughly informed of her progress and the encouraging 
results obtained. Since the St. Louis convention she has organized 
a flourishing W. C. T. U. in the Sandwich Islands and in New Zea- 
land, traversing in the last named country a territory equal In 
extent to that between Maine and Florida, the Alleghanies and the 
sea. She has founded ten local unions confederated into a provincial 
society under the presidency of Mrs. Judge Ward of Christ Church, 
N. Z. Mrs. Leavitt is now in Sydney, Australia, and will remain 
there until next spring, sailing thence for Asia and slowly moving 
onwards across the continents. We cannot tell when she may re- 
turn — probably not for two or three more years." 

We who are familiar with the story of that remarkable journey 
know that the "two or three more years" were protracted into an 
eight years' absence from home, and that it was during the last 
year only that this intrepid pioneer in the formation of our World's 
W. C. T. U. looked into the face of one human being whom she had 
hitherto known. It was indeed heroic work which she wrought, 
and, during all those eight years, she was held in prayerful, loving 
practical thought by the women of the great organization which 
had sent her forth. Gifts were sent by local unions and by indi- 
viduals all over the country, and, in the noontide hour of prayer 
our world's work and our world's missionary were continually re- 
membered by thousands of loyal hearts. 

Space will not permit the chronicling of all the work wrought by 
Mrs. Leavitt and the devoted women who followed in her footsteps. 
Miss Jessie Ackermann was our second round-the-world-missionary, 
receiving her appointment at the convention of 1888, held in New 
York City, and working chiefly in Australia, though visiting many 
other countries of the Orient. Dr. Kate Bushnell and Mrs. Elizabeth 
Wheeler Andrew received their appointment in 1890 and worked 
chiefly in India, where they did magnificent service in the line of 
social purity. Miss Alice R. Palmer was appointed in 1891 and went 
immediately to South Africa, where she worked for two years. At 
the Boston convention, in 1891, Miss Mary Allen West was made 



A WORLD MOV EM EXT 55 

roimd-the-world-missionary for Japan, but ber very effective labor 
tbere was cut short by ber death, less than a year from the date of 
her arrival. Miss Clara Parrish (now Mrs. Clara Parrish-Wright) 
took Miss West's place in Japan after an interval of five years, and 
laid broad and deep the foundations for our present strong organiza- 
tion in that most progressive field of the Orient. 

At the convention held in Geneva, in 1903, the title of our foreign 
workers was changed to "World's White Ribbon Missionaries," and, 
at that same convention, nine were appointed, as follows: Mrs. J. 
K. Barney, U. S. A., Misses Cummins and Vincent of Australia, Mrs. 
Addie Northam Fields, U. S. A., Miss Kara Smart, U. S. A., Mrs. 
Ethel Beedham, England, Miss Olifia Johannsdottir, Iceland, Mrs. 
Harrison Lee. Australia, and Miss Christine Tinling, England. 
Mrs. Fields did magnificent service in Mexico where she 
received the co-operation of the national and state governments to 
an unusual degree. Mrs. Fields was called home by the death of 
her mother. Miss Smart continued Miss Parrish's work in 
Japan with exceptional power and eflSlciency, until the summer 
of 1906, when she was obliged to return home on account of her 
health. Mrs. Beedham and Miss Johannsdottir are also among 
those called aside to rest for a season, while Mrs. Harrison Lee is 
working, temporarily, in America, and Miss Tinling has been made 
a National organizer for the U. S. A. Mrs. J. K. Barney is contin- 
ually in the field, but has not left the home land for several years. 
Mrs. Barney is the only one of the more recently appointed World's 
Missionaries to whom the title ''round the world" may, with propri- 
ety, be applied. At Miss Willard's special request she went as her 
representative to visit all the lands where the white ribbon work 
was already known and to reach as many of the unorganized coun- 
tries as possible. She sailed in April, 1897. In her address at the 
World's Convention in Toronto, in October of that year. Miss Wil- 
lard said: ''Since April Mrs. Barney has been making a most 
successful trip to the Hawaiian Islands, New Zealand, Tasmania, 
and Australia, and she will probably go to Egypt and other Eastern 
countries before her return." It was while in Jerusalem, where 
she organized a W. C. T. U., that Mrs. Barney learned of the trans- 
lation to the New Jerusalem of the loved leader from whom she had 
hoped the next summer to receive well-earned approval at the ter- 
mination of her representative journey. 

The dates of the organization of countries affiliated In the World's 

, W. C. T. U. are as follows: 1874, the United States of America; 

1876, Great Britain; 1882, New South Wales; 1883, Canada; 1885, 



56 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U, 

New Zealand, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, and Tasmania; 
1886, Bulgaria, Japan, China; 1887, Siam, Straits Settlement, Burma, 
India and Cape Colony; 1888, Madagascar, France, and Denmark; 
1889, Chili, Natal, Orange Free State, and Sierra Leone; 1890, Korea, 
Bahamas, and New Foundland; 1891, Egypt, Madeira Islands, Spain, 
Italy, Greece, and the Transvaal. In 1891 the National Union of 
Australasia federating the previously organized Australian states, 
was effected; 1892 saw the organization of Uruguay, Brazil, Norway, 
Jamaica, and Western Australia; 1893, The Netherlands; 1894, Aus- 
tria and Mexico; 1895, Finland; 1896, Germany, Iceland, Belgium, 
Ireland, Turkey, Panama and Sweden; 1897, Syria and Armenia; 
1898, Ceylon; 1899, Bermuda and British Honduras; 1900, Porto 
Rico; 1901, Cuba and Philippine Islands, and 1903, Switzerland, and 
in 1906 the foundations of our work were laid in the Fiji Islands. 

In some of these countries our work has not had a continuous 
existence. In Greece it lapsed but was re-established during the visit 
of Miss Belle Kearney in 1904. An equal degree of effectiveness is 
not possible in all lands. Conditions of society and long established 
customs must affect, to a greater or less degree, the establishment 
of a society like our own. Nevertheless, in all these countries 
mentioned the aims and methods of the W. C. T. U. are known to 
at least a few, and in the vast majority there are strong societies 
working "for the protection of the home, the abolition of the liquor 
traffic and the triumph of Christ's Golden Rule in custom and in 

'*^-" , . , r-:i 



THE FORMAL ORGANIZATION OF THE 

\^ORLD'S 'W. C. T. U. AND THE 

POLYGLOT PETITION 

CHAPTER IX. 

The "Plans for the organization of a World's Woman's Christian 
Temperance Union," which, at the Detroit convention, were prom- 
ised "one year from now," were not presented until the second con- 
vention thereafter, which met in Philadelphia, Pa., October 30- 
November 3, 1885. They were there presented as a part of the Presi- 
dent's Annual Address under section II, "World's Woman's Christian 
Temperance Union." After speaking of the progress already made, 
which, by the close of 1885, included the organization of Hawaii, 
New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania 
and New Zealand, in addition to Canada, Great Britain and the 
United States, Miss Willard said: 

The World's Woman's Christian Temperance Union must have a 
common objective point; a thread of uniform purpose on which to 
string pearls whose soft, pure light will belt the world like a spirit- 
ual equator before the youngest here is gray. Mrs. Leavitt has felt 
this more keenly, perhaps, than we whose groups of workers are 
not so widely severed from each other. The avowed object of the 
World's W. C. T. U. as set forth in our Annual Leaflet is as follows: 

To unify the interest in the temperance cause of Christian women 
throughout the world, by introducing the noontide hour of prayer 
for the triumph of Gospel temperance in all lands, observing Thurs- 
day afternoon as the time for local Woman's Christian Temperance 
Union prayer meetings, with special reference to this thought, and 
by the visits of the superintendent, Mrs. Leavitt, to foreign coun- 
tries for the purpose of introducing our methods and outlining a 
system of organization which shall eventually enlist the women of 
all nations in the effort to overthrow the poison habits of mankind. 

In pursuance of this aim a petition has been prepared, indorsed 
by the general officers and forwarded to Mrs. Leavitt in August last; 
also, presented by Mrs. Mary B. Willard to the International Tem- 
perance Alliance, assembled in Antwerp, Belgium, on the 12th of 
September. (Here follows the text of the petition.) 

In the report of the Plan of Work Committee at this Convention 
the recommendation concerning the World's W. C. T. U. was r^ 
ferred to the Executive Committee, and, at the final meeting of thla 
committee, November 5, it was recorded: "The World's petition 
was endorsed and the special committee in its interests was con- 
tinued." 

57 



58 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U. 

Thus launched, the Polyglot Petition became the nucleus around 
which the many-sided work of the World's Woman's Christian Tem- 
perance Union grouped itself. Its most directly apparent result was 
that it gave objective form to the widening purpose of the temper- 
ance women of many lands. It also gave that most important thing 
In any reform movement, a concrete, visible object by means of 
which the great invisible forces of the organization and work might 
be more definitely apprehended. Although, in moral and religious 
forces as well as in more material things, the things which are not 
seen are the only eternal substances, yet the average human mind 
requires the concrete to enable it to grasp, to any degree, the mean- 
ing and purpose of the abstract. With a center around which It 
could revolve, it is small wonder that the work went forward witli 
constantly increasing rapidity. 

In her book, *'Do Everything," Miss Willard has paid grateful 
tribute to the work of Mrs. Leavitt, Miss Ackerman, Mrs. Andrew 
and Dr. Bushnell, Mary Allen West and Miss Palmer — the brave 
pioneers in our great world's field. She also speaks of the visit of 
Mrs. Josephine Butler, the World's superintendent of Purity, to 
Rome in the winter of 1894, and of her interview with Pope Lea 
XIII. She goes on to say: 

It would be a delight to dwell upon the pioneer work of the 
Countess Wedel-Jarlsburg and her friend, Miss Esmark, in Norway, 
where a National W. C. T. U. has been founded; the work of Eliza- 
beth Selmer, our pioneer in Denmark and organizer for the Scan- 
dinavian countries; of Rev. Adama Von Scheltema, who first made 
known the animus of our society in Holland; .... in Germany, 
where Mrs. Mary B. Willard and Mrs. Dr. Stuckenberg of Berlin 
raised our white flag of total abstinence in 1886; in Paris, where 
Miss De Broen opened headquarters for the society as early as 1888; 
in Spain, where Mrs. Alice Gordon Gulick has established, in San 
Sebastian, a school which rejoices in a Y, organized by Miss Anna 
and Miss Bessie Gordon in 1893; in India, where Mrs. Jeanette 
Hauser, its first president, traveled and organized groups of white 
ribboners, etc. 

In each of these countries, and in every union of our own land, 
as well as throughout Great Britain and Canada, signatures for the 
mammoth petition were collected at nearly every meeting for the 
space of five or six years. Enthusiasm was aroused wherever the 
Idea of a united World's petition was presented to the people. Sig- 
natures were of three distinct kinds, personal and individual slg- 
natures of women, indorsements of men, and ''attestations" on 
behalf of societies, churches, synods, conferences, great mass-meet- 
ings and the like. In her remarkable address given on the evening 



WORLD ORGANIZATION AND POLYGLOT PETITION 59 

preceding the first presentation of the petition, in Washington, D. 
C, February 15, 1895, Miss Willard stated that forty-nine countries 
were represented upon the petition. She also stated that there were 
1,121,200 actual signatures, besides hundreds of thousands of names 
Btill waiting to be added to the long roll. "Nor will we ever rest 
until we have 2,000,000 actual names, besides the present 5,000,000 
additional signers by attestation." 

To enumerate the languages in whose characters the beliefs of 
women have been moulded to action by this far-reaching document 
would be to make a list of almost every tongue that has survived 
the confusion of Babel. There are columns of Chinese women's 
signatures that look like houses that Jack built. There is a list of 
Burmese signatures that looks like bunches of 'tangled worms/ 
The thousands upon thousands from the spicy isle of Ceylon are 
enough to make a short-hand man shudder; the incomprehensible 
but liquid vowels of the Hawaiian Kanaka jostle the proud names 
of English ladies of high degree; the Spanish of haughty senoras of 
Madrid make the same plea as the 'her mark' of the converted 
woman of the Congo. There are Spanish names from Mexico and 
the South American republics, French from Martinique, Dutch from 
Natal and English from New Zealand, besides the great home peti- 
tion from the greater nations. The total, counting men's and 
women's signatures, indorsements and attestations, aggregate seven 
and one-half millions. 

The mechanical task of preparing this most gigantic petition of 
the ages was assigned to Mrs. Rebecca C. Shuman of Evanston, 111., 
and the magnitude of the task may be dimly comprehended from 
Mrs. Shuman's statement that, in 1895, she had spent two years 
of steady work in mounting the petition upon strong white cotton 
cloth and binding the edges with red and blue. 

This mammoth petition made its first public appearance at the 
first convention of the World's W. C. T. IT., in Faneuil Hall, Boston, 
November 11, 1891. It was festooned about the entire hall and 
large rolls of it stood upon the platform. It was also in conspicu- 
ous evidence at the National Convention in Tremont Temple which 
immediately followed the Faneuil Hall meeting. At the second 
convention, held in Chicago in 1893, it had a place of honor, and a 
section was taken across the Atlantic ocean for the third convention 
in London, in 1895. In Toronto, in 1897, it was also a prominent 
feature of the decorations, but the immense cost of transportation 
made it impossible to take it to the two following conventions, 
Edinburgh, 1900, and Geneva, 1903. In Boston, October 17-21, 1906, 
a section of the famous Petition was on exhibition. 

The petition has been publicly presented to representatives of the 
governments of the United States, Great Britain and Canada. The 



60 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U, 

presentation to the President of the United States occurred on 
February 19, 1895, when the General Officers of the National W. C. 
T. U., together with the president of the District, called upon Presi- 
dent Cleveland and presented him with an attested copy of the num- 
ber of signatures of United States citizens. Miss Willard made a 
brief address, Mrs. Clara C. Hoffman read the text of the petition, 
and President Cleveland responded with what Miss Willard charac- 
terized as "one of those courteous and wholly non-committal replies 
to which white ribboners are accustomed to listen from political 
leaders." 

In 1896 two magnificently bound volumes containing the signa- 
tures to the Polyglot Petition of her own subjects were presented 
to Queen Victoria, on behalf of the W. C. T. U., and in 1898 the 
petition was presented to the Canadian government, Mrs. L. M. N. 
Stevens making the address for the World's organization. 

The remaining details outlined in the original "Plans" for the 
organization of the World's W. C. T. U., as presented by Miss Wil- 
lard, seem to have been adopted in the main but not in exact detail. 
Mrs. Margaret Bright Lucas became the first president. Mrs. 
Lucas continued to hold the presidency from 1885 until her death, 
in 1890. The office then remained vacant until the first convention 
in 1891, when Miss Willard was elected, with Lady Henry Som- 
erset as vice-president-at-large. Miss Anna A. Gordon was the 
first elected secretary of the World's Union, at the Boston con- 
vention, 1891, but she promptly declined the honor because of her 
engrossing duties as Miss Willard's private secretary. Mrs. Mary 
A. Woodbridge of Ohio was then elected, and Mrs. Ella F. M. Wil- 
liams of Canada, treasurer. 



THE SEVEN CONVENTIONS OF THE 
\^ORLD^S \^. C. T. U. 

CHAPTER X. 

Seven conventions of the World's Woman's Christian Temperance 
Union have been held — the seventh which convened in Boston, 
Mass., October 17-23, 1906, marking the perfect number, the close of 
a convention week. At first these conventions were held bien- 
nially, but later the constitution was changed by the addition of 
the words ''or triennial," thus allowing the time between the great 
gatherings to be two years, or three, as circumstances might decide. 
Since 1897 the conventions have all been triennial. 

FIRST CONVENTION, 1891. 

The first meeting of the Executive Committee of the World's W. 
C. T. U. was held in the Headquarters of the Massachusetts Woman's 
Christian Temperance Union, Boston, Nov. 10, 1891, Miss Willard 
presiding. Twenty-six members were present at roll call, and the far 
away lands of Australia, South. Africa, China, France, Japan, Burma, 
Siam and Hawaii were represented, as well as the closer neighbors, 
Great Britain and Canada. The chief business of this first execu- 
tive meeting was the adoption of the constitution and by-laws and 
the appointment of superintendents for the various departments. 

On November 11 the Convention proper met in the famous "Cradle 
of Liberty," Faneuil Hall, Boston. We quote from the secretary's 
minutes: "Never, even within those historic halls, were gathered 
more noble representatives of God and Home and Every Land. 
From north and south, from east and west, the world over, women, 
bound by the best of bonds, sat together at the feet of Christ, as did 
Mary of old. 

"Their coming had been anticipated. The Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, portraits of patriots and saints, and the flags of many 
nations were about them, while the long folds of the *Great Petition' 
of the World's Union, bearing the names of nearly a million mothers 
from all lands, praying the rulers of the earth to protect their homes 
from intoxicating drink, opium and other narcotics, were festooned 
on every side. A miniature world had been placed upon the plat- 
form, and about it sat noble women bearing the seal of the Kingdom 
upon their brows. 

61 



62 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W, C. T, U. 

"Lady Henry Somerset, of Great Britain, president of the British 
Women's Temperance Association, led the devotional exercises and 
expressed a desire to hear the women of the Crusade land sing 
*Rock of Ages.' After it had been sung Lady Somerset led in 
prayer, and, with great power and tenderness, addressed the con- 
vention." 

The Declaration of Principles was presented by Miss Willard, and 
is substantially the same as the National Declaration. (See 
Required Reading.) The Plan of Work was presented by Mrs. 
Mary Clement Leavitt and embraced: First, the sending out, as 
soon as practicable, of at least six missionaries to complete the work 
of organization; second, the establishment of a Bureau in each 
country as a center of information and a repository of literature; 
third, the adoption of such departments only in the several coun- 
tries as are best fitted to local needs; fourth, that the printing, 
postage and other necessary expenses of the World's superintend- 
ents, on approval of their accounts, be paid by the Executive Com- 
mittee; fifth, that special effort be made for the spread of our entire 
work in countries whose population is non-Christian. 

The number of countries represented at the convention was four- 
teen: Great Britain by eight delegates; Canada by seven, Hawaiian 
Islands, Japan and Cape Colony, two each; Siam, Burma, India, 
France, Newfoundland, Spain, Italy, Syria and Ceylon, one each. 
The number of delegates from the United States is not reported. 
Doubtless none were formally appointed at this organizing conven- 
tion, but, as the National Convention followed in Tremont Temple 
on November 12, they were present in large numbers. Who can 
fail to believe that the gladdest, proudest, most profoundly grateful 
moment of Frances Willard's life came as she sat upon that historic 
platform surrounded by the noble representatives of the great world- 
wide organization which had been created by her own wide vision 
and dauntless soul. 

CHICAGO, 1893. 

The second convention of the World's W. C. T. U. was held in 
connection with the National Convention, in the Memorial Art Pal- 
ace, Chicago, at the time of the great Columbian Exposition, the 
dates being October 16 and 17, 1893. This convention was darkened 
by the shadow of Miss Willard's absence, she being commanded by 
the eminent English physician, Sir Benjamin Ward Richardson, to 
take a temporary rest. From the secretary's minutes we again 
quote : 



WORLD'S W. C. T. U. CONVENTIONS 63 

"The decorations of Washington Hall, the place of meeting, were 
simple and magnificent. Vases of flowers were placed on desks and 
tables. The beautiful banner of the World's W. C. T. U., which was 
made especially for the first World's Convention in Boston, two 
years ago, occupied the place of honor in the rear of the platform. 
It represents the globe, encircled by the white ribbon floating among 
clouds in the deep blue of space. Beneath is the motto, 'Christ for 
the World,' within a ring of evergreen and holly. Above this sig- 
nificant banner was the motto of our World's and National leader, 
Frances E. Willard, 'For God, and Home and Every Land.' 

"Lady Henry Somerset (who had crossed the ocean that she 
might preside at this convention and thus spare the strength of 
her beloved friend), presided over the convention and read Miss 
Willard's address, which was so filled with her own old-time force 
that it was diflScult for her comrades to remember that she was 
absent from them because of failing strength brought on by the 
long years of untiring work in their behalf. In it she brought 
forth with more clearness than ever before her famous 
"Do Everything" policy; gave a broad survey of the gen- 
eral cause of temperance throughout the world; spoke with 
especial tenderness upon the work of the World's W. C. 
T. u. up to that time, paying especial tribute to the white ribbon 
missionaries and to Mother Stewart; dwelt upon the World's Ex- 
position, especially the Congress of Religions; noted the progress 
of department work, enlarging upon scientific philanthropy and 
gospel socialism; dwelt lovingly upon those who had entered 
into the beyond life since the last convention, while, with her own 
frank naivete she explained her need for personal rest, and then 
gave forceful and large general recommendations for future work, 
many of which have since been carried out. 

While only thirteen affiliated countries were represented by del- 
egates, forty were reported by the secretary, Mrs. Mary A. Wood- 
bridge, as having come into touch with our work. One hundred 
and seventeen delegates and ex-officio members were in attendance, 
the largest number being, naturally, from the United States. The 
same General Officers were elected, reports were given from five 
white ribbon missionaries and some slight changes were made in 
the constitution, the most important being the change in the affili- 
ation fee from one-half cent to one cent per member. 

LONDON, 1895. 

In 1895, for the first time in the history of the society, the white 



64 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U, 

ribbon hosts of the United States crossed the ocean in large num- 
bers to meet in the world's capital, London, their comrades of like 
mind and like purpose throughout the world. This third biennial 
convention was preceded by an Important executive session at the 
headquarters of the B. W. T. A., in Memorial Hall, June 14. 

The convention itself opened in Queen's Hall on the morning 
of June 19. The minutes record that: 

"The platform of the beautiful and spacious audience room of 
Queen's Hall was bright with flowers, flags and banners, when, at 
10:30 a. m. Miss Willard, president of the World's W. C. T. U., 
called the third biennial convention to order with seven raps of 
the gavel, which she declared to be the perfect number, emblematic 
of the character she believed the convention would manifest, 
judged by its record in the past, and the amphitheater of inspire! 
faces by which she was surrounded. 

"Twenty-two countries were represented by delegates. On the 
president's right sat Lady Henry Somerset and Miss Agnes Slack, 
and on her left 'Mother' Stewart of Ohio, who in her eightieth year 
had crossed the ocean on the invitation of her English sisters, and 
Miss Anna Gordon. Miss Willard called on Mother Stewart to lead 
in the responsive reading of the Crusade Psalm, from the Crusade 
Bible which was sent from Hillsboro, Ohio, for that purpose, after 
which the Crusade hymn, 'Give to the Winds Thy Fears,' was sung." 

This was the largest convention ever held by the World's Union, 
269 regularly accredited delegates and ex-ofRcio members being pres- 
ent. Two hundred London pulpits were said to have been filled by 
the women on the convention Sabbath, the most noteworthy being 
John Wesley's City Road Chapel, City Temple, of which the noted 
Dr. Parkhurst was pastor, and Rev. F. B. Meyer's church. Promi- 
nent Church of England clergymen, among them Canon Wilber- 
force, also preached sermons with special reference to the gathering. 
The Polyglot Petition was a prominent feature in the decorations, 
and it was announced from the platform that its weight at that 
time was 1,730 pounds. 

Great demonstrations, held in Royal Albert and Exeter Halls, 
were attended by vast multitudes of people. A reception to the 
convention was given by the Lord Mayor of London, another by 
Lady Henry Somerset at Reigate. 

At the election of officers, Miss Willard was made president and 
Lady Henry Somerset vice-president; Miss Agnes Slack became 
secretary in place of Mrs. Mary A. Woodbridge, deceased. Miss Anna 
A. Gordon became assistant secretary, and Mrs. May Thornley of 



WORLD'S W. C. T. U. CONVENTIONS ^5 

Canada was elected to fill the position made vacant by the death 
of Mrs. Ella F. M. Williams. On Mrs. Thornley's resignation, Mrs. 
Mary E. Sanderson, president of the province of Quebec, was made 
treasurer, which position she still holds. 

TORONTO, 1897. 

The convention of 1897 will be forever memorable as being the 
last one presided over by the inspirer and organizer of the World's 
W. C. T. U., Frances E. Willard. It was held in The Pavilion and 
In Massey Hall, Toronto, October 22-26, 1897. The Ante-Executive 
meeting was held at the headquarters of the Dominion W. C. T. U., 
66 Elm street. Twenty-two members answered to the first roll call. 
Four amendments to the constitution were unanimously adopted. 
The first had been offered by Miss Willard, and was as follows: 
To amend Article III of the constitution to include the round-the- 
world missionaries, the editor and business manager of the World's 
oflBcial organ and any organizers, evangelists or others whose names 
are on the printed roster of the World's Minutes, as ex-officio mem- 
bers of the World's Executive Committee. 

The second, To amend the preamble of the constitution of the 
World's W. C. T. U., to include the words, "without distinction 
of race or color," so that it will read — "In the love of God and Hu- 
manity, we, representing the Christian women of the world, with- 
out distinction of race or color, band ourselves together,'* etc. 

The third, by Miss Belle Kearney, To amend the constitution by 
adding the following article: The World's Department of Young 
Women's work shall hereafter be known as the Young Woman's 
Branch, and its Superintendent shall be called the General Secretary 
of the Young Woman's Branch, by virtue of which office she shall 
be a member of the World's Executive Committee. 

The fourth, offered by Miss Gordon, To amend article III of the 
constitution by inserting the following clause: "Whenever a Presi- 
dent of an affiliated national society is also a General Officer of the 
World's W. C. T. U., that national society shall be represented on the 
Executive Committee by a member to be chosen at the annual meet- 
ing of such national society." 

A fifth amendment had been offered by Miss Willard, but, after 
a spirited discussion, it was laid upon the table: To amend the con- 
stitution of the World's W. C. T. U. so that the officers of the 
society shall be nominated in the Executive Committee, but these 
nominations shall be subject to the action of the convention. 

A by-law, to the effect that the convention should have power to 
continue its sessions not less than three days was adopted. 



66 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. 0. T. U. 

The election of officers resulted in the reappointment of the five 
who were placed in office at the previous convention. 

A welcome banquet was given in the Pavilion of the Horticul- 
tural Gardens by the Dominion W. C. T. U. on Friday evening, 
October 22. We quote: 

"The pavilion presented a beautiful picture. Above the banquet- 
ing hall was a huge canopy of red, white and blue, leading up to 
a centerpiece representing the world encircled by the motto of the 
W. C. T. U., *For God and Home and Every Land.* The gallery 
pillars were draped and the intervening spaces festooned with Brit- 
ish flags. In compliment to the delegates from the United States, 
'Old Glory* was given a prominent position at the left of the plat- 
form. The flags of the countries of the world were arranged in 
clusters at the front of the gallery in recognition of the cosmo- 
politan character of the gathering. Shields bearing appropriate 
mottos encircled the hall. The company was so large as to com- 
pletely fill the building; the galleries were thronged by a group of 
interested spectators. 

"Miss Willard presided and proposed in felicitous terms the toast 
to the Queen, which was received with great enthusiasm. Mrs. 
Rutherford, on behalf of the Dominion W. C. T. U. welcomed the 
delegates of the World's W. C. T. U. to the 'brightest gem in the 
great Empire, the fairest province of the Dominion, the great Queen 
City of Toronto.' 

"Miss Agnes Slack responded on behalf of the World's officers, 
and in doing so expressed great regret that one who should have 
responded to the kindly welcome, the honored, loved leader in 
England, Lady Henry Somerset, was unable, on account of illness, 
to be present." 

Eighty-three Toronto pulpits were filled by delegates on the Sab- 
bath and Miss Elizabeth Greenwood preached the convention ser 
mon to a large audience in Massey Hall. Two hundred and eleven 
delegates w'ere present, thirty-nine countries reported through the 
corresponding secretary, nineteen superintendents presented or sent 
in reports of work in their departments, while the report of Clara 
Parrish's first year in Japan was one of the special features of the 
convention. 

Miss Willard's last address was memorable for the strength and 
sweetness displayed in dealing with very difficult questions. Of it 
some one has said, "It was as tender as the Gospel of Christ — and 
as just." 



WORLD'S W. C. T. U. CONVENTIONS 67 

EDINBURGH, 1900. 

The "Land of browa heath and rugged woods, 
Land of the mountain and the flood 

Next claimed the gathering of white ribbon clans, and In beautiful 
Edinburgh, the city of romance, was held the fifth World's Con- 
vention, June 22-26, 1900. 

For the first time since the promotion of their great leader had 
the representative World's women come together and from the first 
the hush of a great sorrow, as well as the inspiration of a common 
joy was upon the assembly. The place of meeting was the Assembly 
Hall of the Free Church of Scotland, where a colossal statue of John 
Knox watched the coming and going of the women with what, at 
times, seemed almost a wondering face. From the heights above 
the Assembly Hall the historic castle frowned down upon us, while 
Arthur's Seat reared its head with conscious majesty, and over all 
was the air of the land which has played so large a part in the 
history of political and religious freedom. 

Thursday, June 21, was given up to an all-day meeting of the 
Executive Committee, forty-one being present to answer to the roll 
call. Friday was devoted to a united devotional all-day service, 
presided over by Mrs. L. M. N. Stevens in the morning and by 
Lady Henry Somerset in the afternoon. A deep spirituality marked 
this gathering, and addresses were made by Lady Henry Somerset, 
Mrs. Stevens, Miss Mary Gorham, Rev. H. S. Sanders, Rev. Charles 
Sheldon, Mrs. Nicholls of Australia, Mrs* Lent Stevenson, Mrs. Asa 
Gordon of Canada, Rev. Dr. Smith and Mrs. J. K. Barney. In the 
evening a brilliant and successful reception was given by the Scot- 
tish W. C. T. U. at the Cafe, Prince's street, at which addresses of 
welcome were made by Mrs. Blaikie, for the Scottish Executive 
Committee, Rev. Dr. Wilson, for the churches of Edinburgh, Dr. P. 
A. Young, for the medical profession and Mr. Charles Guthrie for 
the citizens. Responses were made by Lady Henry Somerset, Mrs. 
Stevens, Mrs. Nicholls, Mrs. Rutherford and Mrs. Mackay, repre- 
senting respectively Great Britain, the United States, Australia, 
Canada and South Africa. 

The Memorial Address for Miss Willard was delivered by the act- 
ing president, Lady Henry Somerset, and was an English classic 
which should have perpetual place in the hearts and minds of the 
World's white ribboners. Lady Henry presided during the entire 
convention and was elected president by a unanimous vote. Mrs. 
Lillian M. N. Stevens, Miss Willard's successor in office in th3 



68 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U. 

United States, was made vice-president-at-large, and the remaining 
officers were the same as those elected at Toronto. 

Two hundred and forty-two delegates and ex-officio members were 
present at this convention while thirty-five countries made reports 
of work accomplished. Four white ribbon missionaries were pre:^- 
ent, Miss Clara Parrish having just returned from India, Mrs. Bar- 
ney and Misses Vincent and Cummins of Australia. Twenty-seven 
superintendents sent reports and the treasurer was enabled to show 
a balance of $2,753.70 in the treasury. 

One notable feature was the abundant hospitality shown by the 
people of Edinburgh, which took form in numerous receptions, the 
most important being the one tendered by the Lord Provost and 
City Council at the Museum of Science and Art. About 4,000 guests 
were present. "The delegates on entering were received by the 
Magistrates and Council in their official robes. During the evening, 
at intervals, pipers in Highland costume marched round the upper 
balcony and rendered selections on the bagpipes." 

Another notable feature was the large number of countries which 
appealed to the World's officers for a resident white ribbon mission- 
ary, thus affording convincing proof that there is place for and 
need of the work of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union In 
foreign missionary fields. 

GENEVA, 1903. 

For the first time, on June 8 to 11, 1903, continental Europe was 
invaded by the white ribbon hosts and the sixth convention was 
held in the world-renowned city of Geneva, Switzerland, presided 
over by the vice-president-at-large, Mrs. Lillian M. N. Stevens. The 
Devotional day was in charge of Mrs. Lent Stevenson and Miss Mary 
Gorham, and both the French and the English languages were used 
In the prayers and testimonies. The Executive meeting was, 
unavoidably, held at the same hour. Thirty members responded 
to the roll-call and one hundred and eighty-four delegates were 
present at the convention, the largest number being from Great 
Britain. Twenty-one countries were represented and a total of 
twenty-six reported through the secretary. 

Delightful receptions were tendered the convention at the home 
of Madame de Bude, at Petit Sacconnex, where distinguished men 
and women gave eloquent words of welcome; also by the Union de$ 
Femmes of Geneva at the Palais Eynard, which was placed at their 
disposal by the city government. A farewell banquet was also ten- 



WORLD'S W. C. T. U. CONVENTIONS 69 

dered the delegates at a cafe on the evening following the close ot 
the convention. 

More radical changes in the constitution were made in Geneva 
than at any previous convention. It was so amended as to make 
the election of oflScers rest with the delegates and not with the 
Executive Committee and the power to approve or disapprove of all 
acts of the Executive was also vested in the convention. Two sec- 
retaries were decided upon in place of a secretary and an assistant 
secretary. 

The cosmopolitan nature of the organization was never so clearly 
brought out as in the program of the last evening of the conven- 
tion, when eleven different languages were spoken from the plat- 
form and three great peoples, the citizens of Switzerland, the Brit- 
ish Empire and the United States of America, all voiced their 
national anthem to the same tune of "America" or "God Save the 
King." 

BOSTON— 1906. 

In Boston, Massachusetts, the World's W. C. T. U. held its first 
convention. To Boston it came to round out a series of seven meet- 
ings by a gathering which, with striking climax, marked the com- 
pletion of twenty-three years of glorious achievement. In 1891, 
eleven countries were represented. In the 1906 convention, 366 
delegates were present from thirty-one different nations, each re- 
porting activity in some of our many lines of work. 

The great welcoming banquet in Tremont Temple, attended by 
1,010 persons, presided over by Mrs. Katharine Lent Stevenson, 
president of Massachusetts W. C. T. U., with Hon. John D. Long, 
ex-secretary of the Navy, as toastmaster, was brilliant, significant, 
never to be forgotten. Mr. Long brought the following message 
from President Roosevelt: 

"Please convey to the delegates my hearty sympathy for every 
practicable move in the cause of temperance and my good wishes 
for the continued success of the organization." 

It was significant, also, that Governor Guild of Massachusetts 
and Mayor Fitzgerald of Boston spoke words of welcome to the 
white ribboners from the convention platform. A reception for 
convention delegates was given by Governor and Mrs. Guild at the 
State House; and Mayor and Mrs. Fitzgerald entertained them at 
afternoon tea. 

Mrs. Lillian M. N. Steve(ns, vice-president-at-large, presided 
throughout the session, in the absence of the President, Lady Henry 
Somerset. A noteworthy feature of the convention was the presence 



70 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T, U, 

of many brilliant and distinguished delegates and visitors from 
abroad, including Mrs. Kaji Yajima, president Japan W. C. T. U.; 
Lady Dorothy Howard and the Earl of Carlisle, England; Baroness 
von Hausen, Germany; Miss Sevasti Callisperi, Greece; Miss Ellen 
M. Stone, and many others. 

Lady Henry Somerset declined to be a candidate for re-election 
to the presidency, and the Countess of Carlisle, president of the 
British Women's Temperance Association, was elected. The other 
General Officers were re-elected. 

Article VII of the constitution was amended to admit as delegates 
to World's Conventions representatives of the Loyal Temperance 
Legion, the amendment reading as follows: "And one delegate for 
every one thousand dues paying members of the Loyal Temperance 
Legion, all such delegates to be active members of the W. C. T. U. 
and active workers in the L. T. L." 

The seventh World's Convention was remarkable for the note 
of victory occasioned by the triumphs of the cause in many lands, 
as well as for the strong appeals for white ribbon missionaries to 
be sent to Japan, India, Burma, and other fields. 



DEPARTMENTS OF WORK IN THE 
\^ORLD'S W^. C. T. U. 

CHAPTER XL 

Seventeen departments of work were adopted at the first World's 
Convention in 1891. They were grouped under the familiar head- 
ings: Evangelistic, Organization, Prevention, Educational, Social 
and Legal. Under the first were ranged: Evangelistic, with Miss 
Elizabeth W. Greenwood as superintendent, Mrs. Mary E. Green 
of Honolulu as associate, and Dr. Bushnell and Mrs. Andrew as 
World's evangelists; World's Temperance Mission Work, Mrs. Mary 
Sparks Wheeler of Pennsylvania, superintendent; Bible Readings, 
Mrs. Hannah Whitall Smith of England, superintendent; Sunday 
School Work, Miss Lucia E. F. Kimball; Penal, Charitable and 
Reformatory Work, Mrs. J. K. Barney; Purity, Mrs. Josephine E. 
Butler of England; Work among Sailors, Miss Agnes Weston, Eng- 
land; and Work among Policemen, Miss Catherine Gurney, also of 
England. 

Under the second heading came Juvenile Work, with Miss Anna 
A. Gordon at its head, and Young Women's Work, Mrs. Frances J. 
Barnes, superintendent. 

Peace and Arbitration, with Mrs. Hannah J. Bailey as superin- 
tendent, was the only department ranged under Prevention, but the 
Educational group numbered three: Scientific Temperance InstruC" 
tion, Mrs. Mary H. Hunt; Savings Banks, Mrs. S. L. Oberholtzer; 
and The Press, Mrs. M. G. C. Edholm of California. 

Under the Social heading were grouped Parlor Meetings, Mrs. 
Boden of England, superintendent, and Fairs and Expositions, Mrs. 
Nichols of Indiana, superintendent, while the Legal group embraced 
only Petitions and Treaties, in charge of Miss Gwenlian E. F. Mor- 
gan of South Wales. 

Thus it will appear that, while eminent names were associated 
with our departments in the early days, there was a necessarily 
narrow range of choice in the appointment of superintendents, as 
the organization in many countries was still embryonic, and it 
seemed wise that the superintendents should represent the work at 
its highest efficiency. Later years were to remedy this defect in 
part, and, without doubt, the finally perfected organization will 
embrace World's superintendents in every affiliated country. 

71 



72 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U. 

1893. 

The second World's Convention retained all the departments 
adopted by the first, leaving them in the hands of the same super- 
intendents and, in addition, took up work in the departments of 
Franchise, with Mrs. Eva McLaren of London as superintendent; 
Anti-Opium, placing it in the hands of Miss Jessie Ackerman, and 
Proportionate and Systematic Giving, with the National superin- 
tendent of this work in the United States, Mrs. Esther Tuttle 
Pritchard. 

A line of work which could hardly be called a department was 
adopted at the Boston convention, viz.: the keeping of the World's 
Archives, placed in the hands of Miss Helen Hood of Chicago. At 
the second convention Mrs. Matilda B. Carse, also of Chicago, was 
appointed Custodian of Archives. 

1895. 

Thirteen departments were adopted at the London convention, 
and three of those previously in existence were dropped. The three 
were Bible Readings, it being decided that this line of work prop- 
erly belonged under the Evangelistic department, Work among 
Policemen, and School Savings Banks. The new departments were: 

Politics, Mrs. Bamford Slack, London; Medal Contest, Mrs. W. 
Jennings Demorest, New York; Humane Education, Miss Marshall 
Saunders, Halifax, N. S.; Schools of Methods, Mrs. Hannah Whitall 
Smith, London; Lecture Bureau, Mrs. H. J. Osborn, London; Flo- 
rence Crittenton Missions, Mrs. Charlton Edholm, Chicago; Estab- 
lishment of Coffee Houses, Lady Hope, London; Evangelistic Insti- 
tutes and Training, Mrs. J. Fowler Willing, New York; Food Reform, 
Miss May Yates, London; Flower Mission, Miss Amelia Pemell, 
Sydney, Australia; Christian Citizenship, Mrs. S. D. LaFetra, Wash- 
ington, D. C; Gifts, Mrs. Summerfield Baldwin, Baltimore, Md. 

The World's Temperance Mission Work was also taken up under 
the new name of Co-operation with Women's Missionary Societies 
and placed in the hands of Mrs. Joseph Cook of Boston, Mass. 

1897. 

Four new departments were adopted at the Toronto convention. 
They were as follows: 

Household Helpers, Mrs. Drysdale, Liverpool, England; Labor, 
Miss Amy Hicks, London; Amusements, Mrs. Ormiston Chant, Lon- 
don; Anti-Gambling, Miss Ware, Victoria, Australia. 

The departments of Politics, Establishment of Coffee Houses and 



DEPARTMENTS OF WORK IN THE WORLD'S W. C. T, U. 73 

the Lecture Bureau were dropped, and the work for the School 
Savings Banks was reinstated. 

Changes began to appear in the personnel of the superintendents 
themselves. Mrs. Wilbur F. Crafts was made superintendent of 
Sunday School Work in place of Miss Lucia E. F. Kimball. Mrs. 
A. E. Carman was placed over Medal Contests, Madame Demorest 
having passed away. Dr. Mary Wood-Allen was made superintend- 
ent of Purity, and Mrs. Nicholls of Australia, of Christian Citizen- 
ship. Miss Bleby of Wales became superintendent of Proportion- 
ate and Systematic Giving, and Miss Lottie Wiggin of Toronto, of 
Gifts, while Mrs. Hoskins of India took Miss Ackermann's place as 
superintendent of Anti-Opium, under the broader title, Anti-Nar- 
cotics, and Miss Lodie Reed was made Press superintendent. 

1900. 

No distinctively new lines of work were evolved at the Edinburgh 
convention, though Anti-Opium was differentiated from Anti-Nar- 
cotics, the former being left in Mrs. Hoskins' hands and the latter 
given to Mrs. Chandos-Pringle of South Africa. Work among Sol- 
diers was also separated from Work among Sailors, and Mrs. Asa 
Gordon of Ottawa, Canada, was made superintendent of the former. 
Florence Crittenton Mission, and World's Archives, as separate 
departments, were dropped, the secretaries of the World's Union 
being placed in charge of the latter. 

Changes in superintendents were as follows: 

Schools of Methods, Mrs. Espenak, Norway; Parlor Meetings, 
Mrs. Mitchell, Edinburgh; Gifts, Miss Annie Lile, London; Amuse- 
ments, Mrs. Tom Mitchell, Bradford, England; Co-operation with 
Women's Missionary Societies, Mrs. Whitney, Honolulu. 

1903. 

Only one distinctively new department was taken up at Geneva 
and that, the Protection of Native Races, was placed in the hands 
of Miss Robertson of Ayr, Scotland. The names of other depart- 
ments were slightly changed and a World's Missionary Fund was 
created as an adjunct to the department of Systematic Giving, both 
being placed in the hands of Miss Bleby. The department of Gifts 
became "Gifts, Bequests and Life Insurance," and Fairs and ETxpo- 
sitions, dropped since the first convention, was restored as W. C. 
T. U. Exhibits and given into the charge of Miss Marwick of Syd- 
ney, Australia. The other superintendents remained as appointed 
at Edinburgh with the exception that Mrs. Mary G. Stuckenberg 



74 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U. 

was made superintendent of Labor, and Dr. Louise C. Purington of 
Co-operation with Women's Missionary Societies. 

The departments now carried on by the World's W. C. T. U., with 
their superintendents, are herewith appended: 

Young Woman's Branch, Mrs. Elizabeth Griswold Waycott, Mon- 
treal, Canada; Loyal Temperance Legion, Miss Anna A. Gordon, 
Evanston, 111.; Scientific Temperance Instruction, Mrs. Edith Smith 
Davis, Milwaukee, Wis.; Sunday School Work, Mrs. Wilbur F. 
Crafts, Washington, D. C; Relation of Temperance to Labor, Miss 
Johnson, Liverpool, England; Schools of Methods, Mrs. Espenak, 
Bergen, Norway; The Press, Miss Agnes B. Slack, Ripley, Derby- 
shire, England; Anti-Narcotics, Mrs. May R. Thornley, London, Can- 
ada; Anti-Opium, Mrs. Hoskins, India; Anti-Gambling, Mrs. Ware- 
Copeland, Victoria, Australia; School Savings and Thrift Teaching, 
Mrs. S. L. Oberholtzer, Philadelphia, Pa.; Medal Contest, Mrs. A. E. 
Carman, Chicago, 111.; Evangelistic, Miss Elizabeth W. Greenwood, 
Brooklyn, N. Y.; World's Missionary Fund and Systematic Giving, 
Miss Bleby, London, England; Penal, Charitable and Reformatory, 
Mrs. J. K. Barney, Providence, R. I.; Work among Railway Men, 
Miss Lavinia Grayson, Bradford, England; Work among Sailors, 
Mrs. Ella Hoover Thacher, Florence, N. J.; Work Among Sol- 
diers, Mrs. Asa Gordon, Ottawa, Canada; Work Among Miners, Mrs. 
Mary W. Grey, Pretoria, South Africa; Mercy, Mrs. Mary F. Lovell, 
Wyncote, Pa.; Moral Education, Dr. Mary Wood-Allen, Brooklyn, 
N. Y.; Purity in Literature and Art, Mrs. Emilie D. Martin, New 
York City, N. Y.; Flower Mission, Miss Amelia Pemell, Sydney, 
Australia; Petitions and Legislative Work, Miss Agnes E. Slack; 
Promotion of Good Citizenship, Mrs. Katharine Lent Stevenson, 
Boston, Mass.; Parlor Meetings, Mrs. Mitchell, Langless, Scotland; 
Franchise, Miss Annie Lile, London, England; Peace and Interna- 
tional Arbitration, Mrs. Hannah J. Bailey, Winthrop Centre, Maine; 
Food Reform, Miss May Yates, London, England; Medical Temper- 
ance, Mrs. Martha M. Allen, Homer, N. Y.; Gifts, Bequests 
and Life Insurance, Miss Darling, Edinburgh, Scotland; Household 
Helpers, Mrs. Drysdale, Liverpool, England; Counter Attractions to 
Licensed Houses, Miss Ina Smith, Edinburgh, Scotland; Co-opera- 
tion with Women's Missionary Societies, Dr. L. C. Purington, Bos- 
ton, Mass.; W. C. T. U. Exhibits, Lady Holder, Kent Town, South 
Australia; The Protection of Native Races, Miss Robertson, Ayr, 
Scotland; Uses of Unfermented Wine, Mrs. A. O. Rutherford, 
Toronto, Canada. 



DEPARTMENTS OF WORK IN THE WORLD'S W. C. T. U. 75 

SUMMARY. 

Fourteen of the seventeen departments adopted at the first con- 
vention continue in active operation today, though some are under 
slightly different names. 

Only five of the departments adopted at the first convention are 
in charge of the same superintendents. The five are: Evangelistic, 
Penal, Charitable and Reformatory; Loyal Temperance Legion, 
Peace and Arbitration, and School Savings Banks. The number 
was seven until the death of Mrs. Mary H. Hunt removed the leader 
of that great department in our World's work, and Mrs. Thacher 
succeeded Miss Weston In 1906. 

Only three of our World's superintendents have died during their 
term of office: Mrs. Josephine Nichols, Miss Lodie E. Reed and 
Mrs. Mary H. Hunt. 



IMPORTANT EVENTS OF THE LAST 
DECADE 

CHAPTER XII. 

We have followed the history of the Woman's Christian Temper- 
ance Union from its small beginnings to its evolution as a great 
world force. It now remains for us in the closing chapter 
to give a brief summary of some of the principal events in 
our history as an organization during the past decade. 



The National Convention of 1896, held in St. Louis, Mo., was the 
only convention to which Miss Willard presented an unwritten, 
extempore address. The reason for this change in her usual course 
was the great work for the Armenian refugees, in which she felt 
called to spend the time that, under ordinary circumstances, she 
would have given to the preparation of her address. It was 
reported that more than two hundred refugees had already been 
cared for through the work of the W. C. T. U., chiefly in Massachu- 
setts and Maine. Several Armenians were present at the conven- 
tion, and it was further made notable by the first visit of Miss 
Agnes E. Slack, honorary secretary of the World's W. C, T. U. 
A small gain in membership was reported, and the sailing of Miss 
Clara Parrish as World's W. C. T. U. missionary for Japan was 
one of the notable events chronicled. 



The convention of 1897, in Buffalo, N. Y., will be forever memo- 
rable in white ribbon annals as the last one over which Frances E. 
Willard presided. It was further noteworthy because of its close 
proximity to the fourth World's Convention, which had just been 
held in Toronto, Canada. Many distinguished foreign delegates 
came from Toronto to Buffalo, thus giving the convention a dis- 
tinctly international character. The corresponding secretary re- 
ported as among the most important features of the year's work, 
the carrying forward of the Armenian Relief work, the crusade 
against the display of prize fights and other immoral shows through 
the kinetoscope, definite work for the increase of membership, and 
the re-organization of Alaska. She also gave a table of W. C. T. U. 
membership in proportion to the population of the several states 

76 



IMPORTANT EVENTS OF THE LAST DECADE. 11 

showing that but a small percentage of the population of the nation 
was allied with the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, — the 
logical inference being, if this small percentage can accomplish 
such great things, what might not be accomplished with twenty-five 
or fifty per cent? 



On February 17, 1898, Frances E. Willard passed from the earthly 
to the Heavenly life, and no other event in the history of the 
organization stands out with such sad prominence. No stronger 
proof of the splendid vitality of the Woman's Christian Temperance 
Union could be afforded than the fact that, at the convention of 
1898, held in St. Paul, Minnesota, a net gain of over 3,000 in mem- 
bership was reported, and marked prosperity along all lines of work 
was manifested. The Temple at Chicago was abandoned as an 
affiliated interest by a vote of 285 to 71, and the Frances E. 
Willard Memorial Organizing Fund was established as an efficient 
method of sustaining and extending the work to which Miss Willard 
had given her life. Mrs. Lillian M. N. Stevens was elected president. 
Miss Anna A. Gordon vice-president-at-large, Mrs. Susanna M. D. 
Fry corresponding secretary (Mrs. Katharine Lent Stevenson declin- 
ing re-election), and the other officers were the same as for the pre- 
ceding years. 



The silver anniversary of the Woman's Christian Temperance 
Union was held in Seattle, Washington, a special train conveying 
the Eastern delegates from Chicago. This convention showed a 
marked advance in many lines of department work. The anti-can- 
teen question occupied a large share of attention, also the expulsion 
of Brigham Roberts from the United States House of Representa- 
tives. It was reported that Bermuda had been invaded by Mrs. 
Addie Northam Fields in the interests of the W. C. T. U., also that 
an urgent call had come from Mexico, to which Mrs. Fields would 
shortly respond. 



The year 1900 saw the clans gathered in the capital city of th^ 
nation, Washington, D. C. The time of the convention was wisely 
chosen, as the anti-canteen bill was the first to be considered at the 
opening of Congress, December 1. Thus it came to pass that hun- 
dreds of white ribboners filled the galleries during the discussion 
of the bill, and unquestionably exercised an influence upon the 
decision. A picked company went with Mrs. Ellis to the final hear- 
ing and spoke before the committee. The reports of 1900 include 



78 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. 0. T. U. 

that of the great World's Convention which had been held in June, 
in Edinburgh, Scotland, also the World's Temperance Conference, 
which had assembled in London at the call of the Archbishop of 
Canterbury. During the year the Headquarters of the National 
Union had removed from Chicago to Evanston. The policy of retain- 
ing affiliated interests was carefully considered and a committee 
appointed to consider the feasibility of purchasing The Union Sig- 
nal. A net gain of more than ten thousand members was reported 
and the corresponding secretary stated that one-fifth of the states 
were to have a part in Jubilee Night, each of these having made a 
gain of 500 or more members. 



The year 1901 saw the complete passage of the anti-canteen law, 
and also witnessed the splendidly strategic victory by means of 
which legalized vice was overthrown in the Philippines. The con- 
vention was held in Fort Worth, Texas, and one of its principal 
events was the raising of a large sum of money for the purpose of 
pushing our work in the Philippine Islands. Mrs. Faxon of Mich- 
igan was appointed W. C. T. U. Commissioner for that work. It 
was reported that it had not seemed feasible to purchase The Union 
Signal under existing conditions, and that the entire business of 
the Woman's Temperance Publishing Association, which owned The 
Union Signal, had been leased to a Chicago printing company. 



In 1902, Portland, Maine, was the city in which the annual records 
of the year's work were gathered up. They were of more than usual 
interest and encouragement. A gain of more than 6,000 in mem- 
bership was the first encouraging feature. The fact that Miss Kara 
Smart had sailed for Japan to carry on the work inaugurated by 
Mary Allen West and Clara Parrish Wright, brought the Orient 
very near to the Occident, and the admirable report from the Manili 
W. C. T. U. showed the fruitage of the previous year's generous 
sowing. It meant much to the women of the organization to see 
their National President in her home city and in her own home. 
Further discussion as to the necessity that the W. C. T. U. should 
own and control its official organ was an important part of the 
Executive session, and the General Officers were given authority to 
purchase during the year, if deemed wise. 



In 1903 the sixth convention of the World's W. C. T. U. was held 
in Geneva, Switzerland, and a goodly number of delegates from the 
United States attended this great gathering. The enthusiasm gen- 



IMPORTANT EVENTS OF THE LAST DECADE. 79 

erated was felt in our own National Convention, held in Cincinnati. 
A gain of nearly 7,000 in membership was one of the encourage- 
ments; the purchase of The Union Signal and The Crusader 
Monthly was another. Great stress was laid upon work for an anti- 
polygamy amendment to the constitution of the United States. 



A gain of above 5,000 was reported at the convention of 1904, 
which was held in historic Philadelphia, and 1,346 new unions had 
been organized during the year. An important line of work author- 
ized by that convention was the Reply to the ''Committee of Fifty" 
in its attack upon scientific temperance instruction in schools and 
colleges. 



On February 17, 1905, the statue of Frances E. Willard was 
unveiled in Statuary Hall in our national Capitol. The statue is 
the work of a young woman sculptor. Miss Helen Farnsworth Mears, 
and represents Miss Willard as addressing an audience in all the 
sweetness and simplicity and power which were hers as an orator. 
In the Senate and House of Representatives appropriate ceremonies 
attended the unveiling and in the evening a great mass meeting, 
held by the National and District W. C. T. U.'s in one of the largest 
churches of Washington, was attended by representatives from many 
of the states. 



The convention of 1905 was held in Los Angeles, California, and 
two special trains of about twenty cars took the delegates across the 
continent, — a great object lesson of the strength and purposes of 
the W. C. T. U. The Los Angeles convention was remarkable not 
alone for the program but for the abundant hospitality showered 
upon the delegates by the adjacent towns and cities as well as by 
Los Angeles itself. A gain in membership was reported and the 
death of Mary A. Livermore, one of the great women of the nation 
and world, was sorrowfully recorded. The patent medicine evil 
was brought into great prominence, and advance steps were taken 
in several other divisions of our work. 



A cursory review shows that since 1896 the membership of the 
National W. C. T. U. has increased 39,000, over and above all losses. 
Four World's Conventions have been held during the decade, with 
a constantly increasing number of delegates, and reports of new 
countries interested. Although but one new department, that of 
Medal Contests, has been adopted during the decade, it is evident 



80 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U. 

that many of the existing departments have been greatly improved 
through enlargement of scope and change of methods On the whole 
the record is one of steady advancement. 

Our organization has been represented at four large expositions. 
Buffalo, 1901; Charleston, 1902; St. Louis, 1904, and Portland, 1905, 
receiving medals at the last two named. Our oflficial papers. The 
Union Signal and The Crusader Monthly, have been owned and suc- 
cessfully conducted by the National Union since 1903. 



THE CRUSADE 

Chapter I — Part II. 
References 

The story of the Crusade may be found at length or in detached 
sections in any of the following books: 

•'History of the Woman's Temperance Crusade," by Mrs. Annie 
Wittenmyer. Published at 11 North Thirteenth St., Philadelphia. 

"Biography of Dio Lewis, M. D.," by Mary F. Eastman. Fowler 
and Wells, 775 Broadway, New York. 

"Hillsboro Crusade Sketches and Family Records," by Mrs. Eliza 
Trimble Thompson and her daughters. Jennings and Graham, Cin- 
cinnati, O. Price, $1.25. 

(A new edition of this book, revised and enlarged, has been 
Issued by the family of Mrs. Thompson.) 

"The Crusade at Washington Court House," by Mrs. M. G. Car- 
penter. (We have been unable to learn where this book may now 
be secured, but inquiries should be made of the Washington Court 
House (Ohio) W. C. T. U.) 

"Do Everything," by Frances E. Willard, Chapters II and III. 
Miss Ruby I. Gilbert, 131 Wabash Ave., Chicago. Price, thirty- 
five cents. 

"Memories of the Crusade," by Mother Stewart. H. J. Smith and 
Company, Chicago, Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Oakland, Cal. 

"Woman and Temperance," by Frances E. Willard. Ruby I. Gil- 
bert, Chicago. Price, $2.00. 

"Campaign Echoes," by Mrs. Letitia Youmans. Ruby I. Gilbert. 
Price, $1.00. 

Briefer accounts are also given in "Glimpses of Fifty Years," by 
Frances E. Willard, and in "The Beautiful Life of Frances E. Wil- 
Willard" (chapters VII and VIII), by Anna A. Gordon. Ruby 1. 
Gilbert, Chicago. Price, $2.25 and $2.00, respectively. 

"My Mother's Life," by Mary Henry Rossiter, Chapters VII to 
XI inclusive, gives a full account of the early days. Fleming H. 
Revell, Chicago. Price, $1.50. 

Leaflets: The Crusade Psalm, by Miss Willard. Price, five cents. 

The Story of the Crusade, by Mrs. E. J. Thompson. 

The Spirit of the Crusade, by Esther Pugh. 

The Child of the Crusade, by Alice M. Guernsey. 

81 



82 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U. 

Secured of Miss Ruby I. Gilbert, 131 Wabash Ave., Chicago, 
Price, three cents each for five or less; 50 cents for 50; 75 cents 
for 100. 

Also the Annual Leaflet of the National W. C. T. U., to be secured 
at National W. C. T. U. Headquarters, The Willard, Evanston, 111. 
Price, one cent each; 75 cents for a hundred. 



Topics for Further Study and Preparation of Papers 

1. Causes leading up to the Crusade. The Internal Revenue and 
its effects after forty-five years of trial. 

2. Sketches of Mrs. Electra Barbour Lewis, Dr. Dio Lewis. 
"Mother" Stewart, Mrs. Eliza Trimble Thompson, Mrs. M. G. Car- 
penter, Mrs. Zerelda G. Wallace, Mrs. S. M. I. Henry, and others. 

3. Tragic events of the Crusade; persecution of the women; the 
heroism shown; conversion of saloonkeepers; immediate results, etc. 

4. Causes which led to the abandonment of the early methods of 
the Crusade. 

(See especially Chapters VII and VIII in "My Mother's Life.") 

5. The Organizing Convention of the National W. C. T. U. 
(The National Report of 1874, of which only a few numbers are 

extant, is the only record of this convention, but its story may be 
gathered from some of the authorities quoted, from the columns 
of The Union Signal, and from the convention's delegates. We 
would suggest that diligent search be made for those delegates who 
are still with us, and that the communities fortunate enough to pos- 
sess such, invite them to give their memories of that meeting thirty- 
two years ago.) 



Questions 

1. What were the immediate producing causes of the Woman's 
Temperance Crusade? 

2. What were some of the events of similar nature preceding the 
Crusade? 

3. How wide was the area covered by the Crusade; what was its 
time duration, and what were some of the immediate apparent 
results? 

4. Name some of the early leaders. 

5. Enumerate some of the most lasting results. 

6. Give some of the most important facts connected with the 
organizing convention of November, 1874. 



REFERENCES— SUGGESTED TOPICS— QUESTIONS 83 

FROM 1875 TO 1879 

Chapter II — Part II. 

References 

To the list of reference books given with the previous chapter 
add: National Reports, 1874-1879, if available. 

*'Life and Labors of Mary A. Woodbridge," by Rev. A. M. Hilla. 
Secure this of Miss Gilbert, 131 Wabash Avenue, Chicago. Price, 
11.70, including postage. 

"Life and Works of Mary T. Lathrap." Miss Gilbert. Price, $1.70. 

Chapters VI and VII of Mrs. Woodbridge's Life have special 
reference to the early days, as have also the article, "After Twenty 
Years" (first published in TTie Union Signal) on page 276, and the 
address delivered before the First National Council of Women, on 
page 413 of Mrs. Lathrap's "Life," 



Topics for Further Study and Preparation of Papers 

1. Sketches of the early leaders and their special contributions 
to the work of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. (1) 
Mrs. Annie Wittenmyer; (2) Mrs. Eliza J. Thompson; (3) Mother 
Stewart; (4) Mrs. Mary A. Woodbridge; (5) Mrs. Mary Towne 
Burt; (6) Mrs. Mary T. Lathrap; (7) Mrs. Zerelda G. Wallace; (8) 
Frances E. Willard, (Of special interest during the month of Feb- 
ruary, as February 17 marks the anniversary of Miss Willard's 
Home-going.) 

2. The beginnings of the Franchise department in the W. C. 
T. U. 

3. Former methods as compared with the methods of today; 
do we show genuine advancement? 



Questions 

1. In what cities were held the first six conventions of the 
National Woman's Christian Temperance Union? 

2. Who were the officers during the first five years? 

3. Mention some items of special interest connected with the 
convention of 1875. 

4. At which convention did the following well-known features of 
our work become established: noon-tide prayer; our badge? 

5. At which conventions were passed resolutions in favor of the 
ballot in women's hands, and at which convention did the famous 
discussion on that subject take place? 

6. What was the first official organ of the Woman's Christian 



84 A. BRIEF HISTORY OF TEE W. C. T. U. 

Temperance Union; when was it established, and who were its early 
editors? 



ORGANIZATION OF STATES 

Chapter III — Part II. 

References 

The chief and, indeed, only reference books in the majority of 
states are the Annual Reports, containing minutes of the several 
conventions, with other valuable history. Each union in every state 
should have a complete file of these reports dating from the begin- 
ning. Unfortunately this is not generally the case. Where unions 
are so fortunate as to possess these reports, they should have them 
bound and placed in a safe, or where their care will be assured, 
but where they will be available to all for reference. 

New York has published an excellent resume of the first twenty 
years of its organized life, under the title "Two Decades," by 
Frances W. Graham and Georgeanna M. Gardenier. This history 
contains brief sketches of the important events of each year, with 
portraits of the principal leaders. 

Mrs. Fanny DeB. Chase, under the title "Glimpses of a Popular 
Movement," has contributed the same service to Pennsylvania, while 
the president of the Oregon W. C. T. U., Mrs. Lucia F. Additon, 
has published a quite exhaustive history of Oregon's "Twenty 
Eventful Years." Other states have published historical sketches 
in their official organs, as The Motor of Wisconsin in the issues of 
December, 1893, and January, 1894. This example should become 
contagious. Historians should be appointed by each state union, 
and all important happenings should be recorded, not alone in the 
annual reports, but in some form through which the popular eye 
and ear may be gained. 

"Woman and Temperance" and "Thumb Nail Sketches" are inval- 
uable as references in the study of this chapter, especially the latter, 
which gives brief sketches of many of the leaders of the early days. 
It is to be regretted that the book is no longer in circulation. Those 
who possess a copy may count themselves fortunate. 

We wish to emphasize at this point that, in matters upon which 
differences of opinion have arisen in later years. The Union Signal 
historian is simply following the original records as given in the 
National printed reports. Surely it is not unreasonable for us to 
suppose that the statements which passed as "exact" under the fire 
of contemporary judgment, may be considered authoritative at the 



BEFEREXCES— SUGGESTED TOPICS— QUESTIONS 85 

present time. Many of the actors in that early drama have passed 
into the life beyond. They have left us printed records, and upon 
those records we are obliged to stand. 



Suggestions for Further Study and Preparation of Papers 

1. The beginnings in our own state. 

2. The women who, in our own state, most influenced the work 
in the early days. 

3. Our first conventions. 

4. DiflBculties and delights of the pioneer days. 

5. Miss Willard's organizing tours. 

6. The adjustment of the financial basis in each state. 

7. The origin of the work among colored women, witli sketches 
of the early leaders in that important department. 



Questions 

1. What states were organized prior to the National Convention 
of 1874, and what were the dates and places of their organization? 

2. Wliat was the whole number of states organized within the 
first decade following the Crusade? Give names and organizers. 

3. When, so far as is known to us through data furnished, was 
the first colored state union organized? 

4. What was the plan at first adopted by the National Union 
with reference to the vice-presidents of the several states, and at 
which National Convention was this method changed? 

5. How many states and territories are organized at the present 
time, and what was the exact paid up membership at the conven- 
tion of 1906? 

6. Do you think that in any one state this represents the actual 
membership of the W. C. T. U.? 



EVOLUTION OF DEPARTMENTS, 1874-1880 
Chapter IV — Part II. 
References 
The National superintendents furnish, in most instances, valuable 
information as to the origin and chief achievements of their depart- 
ments. Their addresses are given in the National Annual Leaflet 
and they will willingly respond to the student who is anxious to 
pursue more fully the topics opened by this bare outline. Many of 
them publish historical sketclies; others have brief reference to their 
beginnings, in their Manuals or Plans of Work. 



86 A BRIEF HISTORY OF TEE W. C. T. U. 

The National Annual Leaflet is an absolute necessity for each 
white ribboner. In this the present scope of the several depart- 
ments is given in the fewest possible words and their definite aims 
set forth. Price one cent each; 75 cents per hundred. 

Several of the reference books mentioned in Chapter I, Part II, ' 
have interesting reference to the early departmental work. "Glimpses 
of Fifty Years'* must be mentioned in particular, also "My Mother's 
Life," which sets forth in full the juvenile work in Rockford, 111. 

"Life Sketches," published by Miss Gilbert, are of greatest interest 
as furnishing the vital touch necessary in estimating these great 
lines of endeavor through the personality of their leaders. Seven 
of these have now been published, viz.: Frances E. Willard, Neal 
Dow, Lillian M. N. Stevens, Lady Henry Somerset, Anna A. Gordon, 
Jennie Casseday and Mary H. Hunt. Price three cents each, one 
dollar per hundred. 



Topics for Further Study and Preparation of Papers 

1. Standing committees versus department superintendents; the 
advantages and disadvantages of each method. 

2. The origin of the department system and the first depart- 
ments; which of them are still retained? 

3. Dropped departments; should any of them be reinstated? 

4. Our first National superintendents; their lives and work. 

5. The fulfillment of prophecy as seen in comparing the promise 
of the early conventions with the work of today. 



Questions 

1. What was the method first pursued in the National Union with 
reference to what are now known as the departments of work? 

2. At which convention, and through whose suggestion was the 
change made? 

3. How many departments were recognized at the convention of 
1880, and which of them are now in active operation? 

4. Mention some of the early departments not now found in our 
work. 

5. Give the names of the first superintendent of each of the 
eight earliest departments. 

6. At which convention were the departments of Young Women's 
Work and the Loyal Temperance Legion listed as branches? 



REFERENCES— SUGOESTED TOPICS— QUESTIONS 87 

EVOLUTION OF DEPARTMENTS, 1880-81-82-83 

Chapter V — Part II. 
Topics for Further Study and Preparation of Papert 

1. The growth of the departmeut idea, 

2. The correlation of departments. 

3. The women w^ho have stamped their own impress upon our 
department system. 

4. Do we need new departments? 

5. In what direction should we now expand? 

6. Is there danger of too wide expansion or too careful conserva- 
tism in our later years? 

7. The spirit of the early days. 



Questions 

1. What were the departments adopted in 1880? 1881? 1882? 
1883? 

2. Who were the first and who are the present superintendents 
of each of these departments? 

3. Which departments have undergone greatest change of form? 

4. Which have continued longest under one superintendent? 

5. Wliich aroused greatest opposition at the time of their adop- 
tion? 

6. What new departments, if any, does the organization need? 



EVOLUTION OF DEPARTMENTS, 1884-1905 

Chapter VI. — Part II. 
Topics for Further Study and Preparation of Papers. 

1. The "Most Important Department" at the present stage of 
our work; which is it and why may we consider it such? 

2. The correlation of departments and the central thought unit- 
ing all. 

3. Do we need new departments of work in the Woman's Chris- 
tian Temperance Union? If so, what should they be and why do we 
need them? 

4. Do we need fewer departments? If so, which may be most 
easily dropped, and why? 

5. How may the department system be rendered more effective? 

6. What are the necessary requisites for successful department 
work? 



88 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U. 

Questions 

1. How many departments have been continuously under one 
superintendent since their adoption by the National Union? What 
are their names and the names of the superintendents? 

2. How many and which National superintendents are also super- 
intendents of the same department in the World's W. C. T. U.? 

3. Which was the last department adopted by the National 
Union? At which convention did it become a part of our work? 

4. Which years of our history, after the adoption of the depart- 
ment system, saw the largest number of new departments evolved? 

5. Which departments have quite recently changed their names? 

6. Is there need of more, or fewer departments in the W. C. T. U.? 



ORGANIZATION FROM THE STANDPOINT OF THE 
NATIONAL UNION 

Chapter VII. — Part II. 

Outlines for Further Study and Preparation of Papers 

1. Early Methods of Organization. 

2. The National Affiliation Dues; are they adequate to present 
needs? 

3. The National Memorial Fund; what is the duty of the local 
union with reference to it? 

4. Our National Organizers; sketches of those who have been 
longest in the work; personal reminiscences of their work as it has 
come under the observation of individual members of the unions 
pursuing the Course of Study. 

5. The National Annual Leaflet; its value to the individual union 
and individual member. 

6. The possibilities of the National Organizing Fund — a prophecy. 



Questions 

1. What were the early methods of organization? 

2. What were the difficulties attendant upon the early basis of 
representation and affiliation fees? 

3. At which National Convention was the change of affiliation 
dues made from five to ten cents per member? 

4. When, and at whose suggestion was the special Field Fund 
evolved? 

5. When did it become the Memorial Organizing Fund, and why? 

6. What would be the amount available for work if the 10,000 



REFERENCES— SUGGESTED TOPICS— QUESTIONS 89 

unions in the nation were to send two dollars to this fund? What 
Is the duty of each union with reference to the same? 



EVOLUTION OF THE WORLD'S WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN 

TEMPERANCE UNION 

Chapter VIII. — Part II. 

References 

No new data is available for this branch of our study unless one 
is fortunate enough to possess the reports of the several conven- 
tions of the World's W. C. T. U. 

Mother Stewart's and Mrs. Youmans' books, to which references 
have been made in previous chapters are filled with interesting facts 
concerning the early days in Great Britain and Canada. A leaflet 
entitled, "The World's Woman's Christian Temperance Union," just 
written by Miss Anna A. Gordon, can be obtained of the World's 
secretaries or of Miss Ruby I. Gilbert, Chicago. Price two cents 
each. Mrs. Leavitt has published a pamphlet, **Around the World 
with the White Ribbon," which may also be obtained from Miss 
Gilbert; price ten cents. 

The files of The Union Signal during the early years of the evolu- 
tion of the World's W. C. T. U. contain much valuable matter which 
some day should be collected in pamphlet form. The "Handy Book- 
let" of the World's W. C. T. U., which may be secured of the secre- 
taries for the sum of two cents, is as truly a mine of valuable in- 
formation as is the Annual Leaflet of our own National society. In 
addition to this. Miss Agnes E. Slack, who is the World's Press su- 
perintendent as well as one of its secretaries, publishes a Monthly 
Bulletin, for the price of twenty-five cents annually, which is of 
great value in recording the present happenings in far away lands. 



Topics for Further Study and Preparation of Papers. 

1. Causes leading to the organization of the W. W. C. T. U. The 
Philadelphia convention of 1876. 

2. Our Round the World Missionaries. 

3. Organizing tours of Mrs. Leavitt, Miss Ackerman, Mrs. Barney 
and others. 

4. The noon-tide hour of prayer in its relation to our World's 
Union. 

5. Early work in Great Britain. 

6. Early work in Canada. 

7. Early work in Japan and Australia. 



90 A BRIEF HISTORY OF TEE W. O. T. U. 

Questions 

1. What event may be said to be tbe prophetic precursor of our 
World's W. C. T. U.? 

2. When and to whom did the first inspiration come of our 
World's Union as it now exists? 

3. What actions were taken by the Conventions of 1883 and 1884 ? 

4. Who was the first "Round-the-World-Missionary," and when 
did she begin her work? 

5. Who followed her in the earlier years? 

6. How many and who are the white ribbon missionaries now 
under appointment. 



FORMAL ORGANIZATION OF WORLD'S W. C. T. U. AND 
THE POLYGLOT PETITION 

Chapteb IX. — Past II. 

References 

"Do Everything," especially in its first chapters, is very valuable 
as an aid in pursuing this part of our study. Among other important 
matter relating to the early days of the World's Union, it contains 
the entire text of the great address which Miss Willard gave at the 
Presentation meeting in Washington, D. C, February 15, 1895. This 
address is the most complete history of the great petition which has 
been given to the public. 

In her address before the World's Convention in Toronto, 1897, 
Miss Willard gave a section to the consideration of the petition and 
also a very valuable resume of the work of the World's Union at 
that time. We repeat what was stated in our last chapter, that the 
Reports of the several World's Conventions are the most valuable 
data one can have for prosecuting a more enlarged study of this 
greatest World's organization of women. Unfortunately back num- 
bers of these reports cannot now be supplied, but the Reports of 
1906 may be ordered either of Miss Anna A. Gordon, Evanston, 111., 
or of Miss Agnes E. Slack, Ripley, Derbyshire, England. Postpaid, 
thirty-five cents. 



Topics for Further Study and Preparation of Papers 

1. The value of petitions in reform work. 

2. The Polyglot Petition as a unifier of nations. 



REFERENCES—SUOOESTED TOPICS— QUESTIONS 91 

3. The actual work involved in the preparation of the great peti- 
tion. 

4. The public presentations of the Polyglot Petition. 

5. The ultimate fate of the Polyglot petition; where should it be 
permanently placed? 



Questions 

1. At which National Convention were formal plans for the or- 
ganization of the World's W. C. T. U. presented and by whom were 
those plans given? 

2. What was the central feature of that organization work as out- 
lined in these plans? 

3. When did the great petition make its first appearance in pub- 
lic and what was the occasion that warranted its display? 

4. To the representative of what nation was it first formally pre- 
sented and on what date? What have been its later presentations? 

5. Who prepared the petition in its present form and how many 
actual signatures does it contain? How many by attestation? 

6. Who were the first officers of the World's W. C. T. U.? How 
long did the first President serve? 



THE SEVEN CONVENTIONS OF THE WORLD'S W^. C. T. U. 

Chapteb X. — Pabt II. 

Topics for Further Study and Preparation of Papers 

1. The progressive trend of the several World's Conventions. 

2. Is there danger that undue power may be given into the hands 
of any one country through having the business of the Convention 
done by the Convention itself rather than by the Executive Com 
mittee? 

3. Our World's Officers, brief sketches of each. 

4. A review of Lady Henry Somerset's memorial address for MisB 
Willard. 

5. How far has the social element a place in the meetings of a 
great reform association like the W. C. T. U.? 



Questions 

1. How many Conventions have been held by the World's W. C. 
T. U., in what years, and where? 



92 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U. 

2. What was some one special feature in connection with each 
Convention? 

3. What changes have been made in the list of officers since the 
Convention of 1891? 

4. How many World's officers have died during their term of 
office, and who? 

5. What radical changes were made in the government of the 
society at the Geneva Convention? 



DEPARTMENTS OF THE WORLD'S W. C. T. U. 

Chapter XL — Part 1 1. 
Topics for Further Study and Preparation of Papers 

1. The foundation departments of the World's W. C. T. U. 

2. The different countries which have furnished superintendents 
for the work. 

3. The last department adopted; what special conditions at pres- 
ent call for its vigorous promulgation? 

4. The place for the department of Amusements in the World's 
W. C. T. U. 

5. The four promoted superintendents — sketches of each. 

6. The superintendents who have held their departments from 
the beginning — sketches of each. 

7. What need for new World's departments of work? 



Questions 

1. With how many and what departments did the first World's 
Convention begin its work? 

2. What were adopted and which dropped at the second Conven- 
tion? At the third, fourth, fifth and sixth? 

3. Which World's superintendents have died while in office? 

4. Which have had charge of their several departments since the 
first Convention? 

5. How many and which of the affiliated countries now have 
World's superintendents? 

6. Do we need new World's departments, and if so, what? 



IMPORTANT EVENTS OF THE LAST DECADE 

Chapter XI L — Part II. 
References 

The files of National and state reports, together with files of The 
Union Signal and state papers, are the most valuable data for sup- 



REFEREXCES—SUGGESTED TOPICS— QUESTIONS 93 

plementary reading on this, as on all other parts of our study. 
Fortunately for the many not in possession of these, some things 
have been condensed into leaflet form. The leaflet written by the 
National corresponding secretary, "Some Things Accomplished by 
the National W. C. T. U.," is especially valuable at this point. Each 
National superintendent has one or more leaflets setting forth the 
rise and progress of her own department. These should be secured. 



Topics for Further Study and Preparation of Papers 

1. The Buffalo Convention and Miss Willard's last address. 

2. The origin and work of the Frances E. Willard Memorial 
Organizing Fund. 

3. The Armenian relief work — its origin and results. 

4. The story of the anti-canteen work of the W. C. T. U. 

5. The Anti-Mormon agitation and attempted legislation. 

6. Our gain in membership; how may it be increased? 

7. Is an increase of National dues, for department work, advis- 
able? 



Questions for Review 

1. What was the most significant event in the history of the 
year 1898? 

2. How did the organization prove its vitality after so great 
a loss? 

3. Mention some of the salient features of the Conventions of 
1899, 1900 and 1901. 

4. At what Convention was the purchase of our National papers 
decided upon? 

5. In what year did Kara Smart sail for Japan? 

6. What significant event occurred on February 17, 1905? 



REQUIRED READINGS 

CALrL FOR THE FIRST CONVENTION OF THE NATIONAL 
WOMAN'S TEMPERANCE LEAGUE. 

During the session of the National Sunday School Assembly at 
Chautauqua Lake, several large and enthusiastic temperance meet- 
ings were held. Many of the most earnest workers in the woman's 
temperance movement from different parts of the Union and differ- 
ent denominations of Christians were present, and the conviction 
was general that a more favorable opportunity would not soon be 
presented for taking the preliminary steps toward organizing a 
National League, to make permanent the grand work of the last 
few months. After much deliberation and prayer, a Committee o* 
Organization was appointed, consisting of one lady from each state, 
to interest temperance workers in this effort. A National Conven- 
tion was appointed to be held in Cleveland, Ohio, during the month 
of November, the exact date to be fixed by the Committee of Organ- 
ization. The chairman and the secretary of the Chautauqua meet- 
ing were authorized to issue a circular letter, asking the Woman's 
Temperance Leagues to hold conventions for the purpose of electing 
one woman from each Congressional district as a delegate to the 
Cleveland Convention. It is hardly necessary to remind those who 
have worked so nobly in the grand temperance uprising, that in 
union and organization are its success and permanence, and the 
consequent redemption of this land from the curse of intemperance. 
In the name of our Master — in behalf of the thousands of women 
who suffer from this terrible evil — we call upon all to unite in an 
earnest, continued effort to hold the ground already won, and move 
onward together to a complete victory over the foes we fight. 

The ladies already elected members of the Committee of Organ- 
ization are: Mrs. Dr. Cause, Philadelphia, Pa.; Mrs. E. J. Knowles, 
Newark, N. J.; Mrs. Mattie McClellan Brown, Alliance, Ohio; Mrs. 
Dr. Steele, Appleton, Wis.; Mrs. W. D. Barnett, Hiawatha, Kan.; 
Miss Auretta Hoyt, Indianapolis, Ind.; Mrs. Jennie F. Willing, 
Bloomington, 111.; Mrs. Ingham Stanton, Le Roy, N. Y.; Mrs. Fran- 
ces Crooks, Baltimore, Md.; Miss Emma Janes, Oakland, Cal. 

Jennie F. Willing, Chairman, 
Emily Huntington Miller. 
Sec. of the Chautauqua Meeting. 

94 



FIRST PLAN OF WORK OF THE NATIONAL 
'W. C. T. U. (1874) 

I. Organization 
Since organization is the sun-glass which brings to a focus scat- 
tered influence and effort, we urge the formation of a Woman's 
Temperance Union in every state, city, town and village. We will 
furnish a constitution for auxiliaries, with all needed information, 
to any lady applying to our corresponding secretary. 

II. Making Public Sentiment 

The evolution of temperance ideas is in this order: The people 
are informed, convinced, convicted, pledged. With these facts in 
view we urge: 

First. — Frequent temperance mass-meetings. 

Second. — The careful circulation of temperance literature in the 
people's homes and in saloons. 

Third. — Teaching the children in Sabbath schools and public 
schools the ethics, chemistry, physiology and hygiene of total ab- 
stinence. 

Fourth. — Offering prizes in these schools for essays on different 
aspects of the subject. 

Fifth. — Placing a copy of the engraving known as the "Railroad 
to Ruin" and similar pictures on the walls of every school room. 

Sixth. — Organizing Temperance Glee Clubs of young people to 
sing temperance doctrines into the people's hearts, as well as heads 

Seventh. — Seeking permission to edit a column in the interests 
of temperance in every newspaper in the land, and in all possible 
ways enlisting the press in this reform. 

Eighth. — Endeavoring to secure from pastors everywhere frequent 
temperance sermons, and special services in connection with tha 
weekly church prayer-meeting and the Sabbath school, at stated in- 
tervals, if they be only quarterly. 

Ninth. — Preserving facts connected with the general subject, and 
with our work, in temperance scrap-books, to be placed in the 
hands of a special officer appointed for this purpose. 

III. Juvenile Temperance Societies 

Catholicism's wisest words are these: **Give us the first ten 
years of the children's lives, and you may have the rest." In our 

95 



96 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. V. 

judgment, one of the great hopes of the ultimate triumph of tem- 
perance reform lies in the thorough training of the youths of the 
land in such principles and practices of temperance as will show 
them the fatal dangers of drinking and criminal guilt of selling 
liquors; and to this end we earnestly entreat the friends of the 
cause, and especially the pastors of churches and superintendents 
of Sabbath schools throughout the state, to take immediate meas- 
ures, in their respective cities and towns, for the formation and 
perpetual continuance of temperance societies to be composed of 
the children and youth. 

IV. The Pledge 

If nobody would drink then nobody would sell. 

First. — We urge the circulation of the total abstinence pledge as 
fast and as far as facilities permit, life signatures being sought, 
but names being taken for any length of time, however brief. 

Second. — We have a special pledge for women, involving the in- 
struction and pledging of themselves, their children, and so far as 
possible their households; banishing alcohol in all its forms from 
the sideboard and the kitchen, enjoining quiet, persistent work for 
temperance in their own social circles. 

Third. — We earnestly recommend ladies to get permission to place 
a pledge book in every church and Sabbath school room, where it 
shall be kept perpetually open in a convenient place, indicated by 
a motto placed above it. Also that each member of our unions 
keep an autograph pledge book on her parlor table and carry one 
in her pocket. 

V, Sacramental Wine 

We do not see that the passage, "Woe unto him that putteth the 
bottle to his neighbor's lips," has in it any "saving clause" for the 
communion table. We know that many who have thought their 
appetite completely overcome by months of abstinence have fallen 
by the odor and the taste of the cup at the Lord's table. 

We strongly recommend our unions everywhere to appoint a com- 
mittee of ladies in each church who shall seek to enlist the pastor 
and church officials in offering only unfermented wine at the com- 
munion table. 

VI. The Anti-Treat League 

"Come, let's take something together," has been to thousands the 
key-note of destruction. We are laboring for the organization of a 
league which shall enroll as members those who, though not ready 
to sign the pledge, are willing to refrain from "putting the bottle 



FIRST PLAN OF WORK 97 

to their neighbor's lips" by pledging their honor that they will 
neither "be treated" nor "treat." 

VII. Temperance Coffee Rooms 

If we would have men forsake saloons we must invite them to a 
better place where they can find shelter and food and company. 
We would open small, neat coffee rooms, with reading rooms at- 
tached, which the ladies might supply with books and papers from 
their own homes, and by solicited funds. 

When practicable there should also be Friendly Inns, connected 
with which there might be provided, for those willing to compensato 
by their labor for their food and lodging, a manufacturing shop, 
comprising various trades. 

VIII. Homes for Inebriate Women 

These should be established in the cities, our unions soliciting 
aid from the state and municipal governments and from the general 
public for this purpose. 

IX. The Reformed Men's Clubs 

Recently projected in New England will be powerful auxiliarie3 
in our work, and we urge the women's unions to help establish them 
in every community. 

X. A Bureau of Information 

Already, by means of correspondence, our chain of unions has 
been a medium of communication between parents and their absent 
sons, by means of which the former, in their homes, have lent a 
helping hand to the latter amid their temptations. We suggest care- 
ful attention to this important branch of our beneficent task. 

XI. Counter-Attractions of Home 

Much has been said about our negligence in rendering our homes 
attractive, and our cuisine appetizing; and not always without 
reason. We therefore recommend that in our unions essays on the 
science and art of making home outwardly wholesome and attrac- 
tive be read, books on that subject be circulated, and all possibltj 
efforts made to secure a more scientific attention to the products of 
the kitchen, and a higher aesthetic standard for the parlor. 
XII. Home Missionary Work 

Private visitation of those who drink and those who sell, we con- 
template still further, our aim being to go in a spirit of prayerful 
kindness. 



98 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U. 

XIII. Gospel Temperance Meetings 

We recommend our unions to hold these meetings in the streets, 
billiard halls and churches — making them protracted if the interest 
shall warrant it; offering the gospel cure for intemperance; going 
through the audience to get persons to come forward and sign the 
pledge, to the tune of "Jesus, Lover of My Soul," investing the act 
with all the solemnity and enthusiasm of a religious service. 

XIV. Fountains 

We urge our unions everywhere to signalize the coming hun- 
dredth birthday of America by erecting in every village and town 
and city, fountains of water, inscribed with such mottoes as shall 
show what sort of drink the women of America believe in, and as 
shall be a sermon in their persuasiveness to our fathers, brothers 
and sons. 

XV. Of Money 

Our cause cannot forego the sinews of war, be it peaceful or pro- 
fane. We must have money. Our financial plan asks each member 
to give a cent a week toward the temperance cause, and we urge 
this feature as one of great importance. 

Let us say that all needed information under any, or all, of the 
preceding heads, will be gladly furnished on application with stamp 
to our corresponding secretary. 

XVI. Trysting-Time with God 

Our work came forth to us from God. The miracle of the Crusade 
was wrought by prayer. Let us women of America, and of all lands, 
dedicate the evening twilight hour to prayerful thoughts about this 
greatest of reforms. Wherever we are, let us lift up our hearts, 
whether alone or in company, in the closet or on the street, and 
ask God's blessing on the temperance work, and on those whom it 
would help. Let us form the habit of keeping sacredly at heart 
some moment of this hour, as our trysting-time with God. 

Conclusion 
Dear sisters, we have laid before you the plan of the long cam 
paign. Will you v/ork with us? We wage our peaceful war in 
loving expectation of that day "when all men's w^eal shall be each 
man's care" when "nothing shall hurt or destroy in all my holy 
mountain, saith the Lord;" and in our day we may live to see 
America, beloved mother of thrice grateful daughters, set at liberty 
full and complete from foamy King Gambrinus and fiery old King 
Alcohol. 



THE \^. C. T. U. DECLARATION OF 
PRINCIPLES 

I. Our Creed 

The chief aim of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union Is, in 
popular estimation, the annihilation of the liquor traffic. This 1? 
correct as regards our immediate object, but at the same time it 
should be understood that this aim rests upon certain basic prin- 
ciples; principles which preclude specific limitation of effort or 
achievement; principles which from their very nature demand mul- 
tiplying and ever widening ramifications of the society established 
upon them, and which explain why the white ribbon is a fitting 
symbol of such out-branching organization. 

Obviously it should be the duty of every W. C. T. U. woman to 
familiarize herself with the nature and the source of those articles 
of faith which form the foundation of the W. C. T. U. structure. 
She should know where she stands and for what. The purpose 
of this series of "Readings" is to emphasize the breadth and com 
prehensiveness of W. C. T. U. principles, and by a brief study of 
the official declaration of the same, to aid the white ribboner to 
be "ready always to give an answer to every one that asketh a 
reason for the hope that is in her." The Readings are intended as 
suggestive merely, not by any means as arbitrary or dogmatic in- 
terpretation. 

1. We believe in the coming" of His Kingrdom, whose service is per- 
fect freedom, because His laws, written in our members as well as in 
nature and in grace, are perfect, converting the soul. 

The laws of being, written with the finger of God all about us, 
are laws of growth and harmony. They are unchanging, immutable, 
therefore God's will must sooner or later be done. The more rapidly 
we gain understanding of these laws and intelligently conform to 
them, the more quickly will come the liberty and blessed service 
of the Kingdom. We believe because — what immensities that "be- 
cause" opens up to contemplative minds! We stake our belief on 
the stability, the perfection, of laws which operate without haste 
and without rest to the manifesting of that Love through which, in 
the fulness of time, God Himself becomes incarnated and embodied. 

The primary law of being, writ large in every individual organ- 
ism, is that of Unity. That all creation is bound together by 
invisible cords, and that through all pulsates a common life, is 

tore. ^^ 



100 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W, C, T. U. 

the dictum of Science and of Religion. Nature proclaims this truth; 
grace reveals it. All are members of one body. No man can live 
or die unto himself. The woe of one is the common woe; the weal 
of one, the common weal. Injury to a part is injury to the whole, 
uplift for one is uplift for all. Reasoning from general to particu- 
lar, strong drink, enslaver and degenerator as it is of mind, soul 
and body, must perforce be condemned as an enemy of the King- 
dom, as an obstacle to the attainment of that freedom which is 
God's will upon and for earth, as well as in and for heaven. 

We find, therefore, at the very beginning of the W. C. T. U. 
Declaration of Principles a reason for the first plank in the Chris- 
tian Temperance platform, viz.: Total Ahstinence. In the words 
of Miss Willard, "as a friend to myself and as the special guardian 
of my own being, I am bound to let intoxicating liquors alone; and 
I am equally bound to let them alone because of my interest in 
the well-being of those about me." Believing in the coming of His 
Kingdom and desiring for ourselves and for all men the "glorious 
liberty of the children of God," we teetotally abstain from the thing 
which hinders that coming and that liberty. 



2. We believe in the gospel of the Golden Rule, and that each man's 
habits of life should be an example safe and beneficent for every other 
man to follow. 

The Golden Rule follows logically as our second fundamental 
principle. When we read aright the laws written in our members 
and in nature and in grace, when we recognize the oneness of 
humankind, we see the wisdom and the expediency of doing unto 
others whatsoever we would they should do unto us. Apprehend- 
ing more of the "because," we realize that we are, in a very deep 
and true sense, our brother's keeper, and we begin to discern higher 
meanings in the gospel of brotherhood. The Golden Rule, declares 
the Great Teacher, "is the lawJ' Some thinker has said that "un- 
selfishness is selfishness grown up." Let us meditate upon that 
thought until we glimpse the heights of Christian altruism it 
touches; let us distinguish between self and Self, and in the light 
which radiates from such self-denying and self-affirming — this 
"otherism" of primal law — we shall see the Golden Rule to be 
soundest philosophy, most practical religion, a doing in harmony 
with 'being. 

Belief in this rule as a guide to thought and action compels us 
to believe, further, that not only our own but each man's example 
should be such as the weakest brother may follow and not stumble 
thereby. And this leads straight to Prohihition. This second sec- 



DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES 101 

tion of our declaration enunciates a principle which involves a 
definite reaching out. It points to something more than total absti- 
nence for the Individual, or prohibition for one; it means not 
merely self-protection but protection for every child of the Fath- 
er's great earth family, from the near and dear of our own fire- 
sides to the brother and sister in the remotest part of the most 
distant land; it is the raison d'etre for the destruction of the liquor 
traffic, root and branch. Prohibition aims not to curtail "personal 
liberty" but to secure to men, women and little children the most 
wholesome and helpful environment possible; it aims to help lift 
the world to that level of perfect freedom found only in the service 
of the King. And as well say that a habitual drinker trying to 
reform has no right to deny the atoms of his stomach the danger- 
ous stimulant they demand, that no man has a right to lay down 
the law of prohibition to any of his members, as to declare that 
the sober, right-thinking part of the national organism — the clear- 
headed people who desire the health and well-being of the whole 
body and every fraction of it — have no right to legislate against 
an evil which blights and slays the natural aspirations of the 
human soul Godward! Prohibition, as the word itself implies, is 
not an end; it is but a means to an end, and that end the Kingdom 
with its glorious personal liberty. Prohibition of the drink traffic 
removes an obstructing mountain from the King's highway, and 
is a necessary instrument in the carrying out of the Great Pur- 
pose in creation. 

In the record of the climb of the human soul from the lowlands 
to the heights we find first the thunders of Sinai, afterward the 
Sermon on the Mount; first the law written on tables of stone, 
afterward the law written upon the heart; first Moses, afterward 
Christ. So the natural order is, first prohibition of the liquor 
traffic by civil law, then prohibition "written not with ink but with 
the spirit of the living God." Law on the statute books will have 
accomplished its mission as schoolmaster when man has no longer 
any desire to do that which it prohibits. When that time comes — 
to quote again that far-seeing leader, Frances Willard — "no law 
shall be needed as a dyke to protect humanity against the inroads 
of the sea of intoxicating drink." There is no "thou shalt not" 
in the Kingdom. In the perfect freedom of its service is a wider 
personal liberty than the anti-prohibitionist has yet conceived of. 



3. We believe that God created both man and woman In His own 
Image, and therefore, v/e believe in one standard of purity for both men 
and women, and in the equal right of all to hold opinions and to express 
the same with equal freedom. 



102 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U. 

In imaging Himself tlie Creator must of necessity express duality 
of sex. "And He called their name Adam" — man one-half, woman 
one half of the human unit, both together God's image, each incom- 
plete without the other. The mistake of mankind through the ages 
has been to regard one-half as inferior to the other half, an error 
consequent upon judging according to appearances, according to 
the standard of the merely visible, which is not righteous judg- 
ment. That man and woman rise or sink together is more than 
poetic sentiment; it is a law of being. We must, therefore, in the 
interests of the whole — of the masculine no less than of the fem- 
inine half — demand a "white life for two," we must declare for one 
standard of purity, and that the highest, for both halves of human- 
ity. The very origin of sex is proof of the doctrine that man and 
woman are under one moral law. In the light of this truth the 
statement that all possess equal right to hold and express opinions 
becomes axiomatic. The enfranchisement of women, which consti- 
tutes one of the chief canons of W. C. T. U. faith, is a logical out- 
growth of this principle. We base our suffrage creed not primarily 
upon any desired influence woman's ballot might have upon social 
and political conditions, but upon the elemental and eternal equal- 
ity of man and woman before their Creator. Surely a brighter 
day has dawned for the human race when the largest organization 
of women in the world is found standing for and working for the 
complete emancipation of the "better half" of mankind! And 
whatever is said of the "new woman," let it not be forgotten that 
wherever she is and whatever cause she espouses one of her distin- 
guishing characteristics is zealous advocacy of the single standard 
of morality for both men and women. 



4. We believe in a living wage; in an eig-ht-hour day; in courts of 
conciliation and arbitration; in justice as opposed to greed of gain; In 
"peace on earth, good will to men." 

This in toto is a peace principle. It affirms belief in the essen- 
tial, and therefore actually possible, harmony between men and 
between nations, and is the basis of various W. C. T. U. activities. 
The conception of a "living wage" must of course be relative, 
dependent upon circumstances and conditions. It must, however, 
include ability to live in such manner as will permit harmonious 
and all-round development of mind, soul and body. This may not 
mean in every case the "simple life," as that term is commonly 
understood; it may not mean the social life or the strenuous life; 
and it may mean any or all of these; but first, last and all the 
time it means the "balanced life"— in the best sense the success- 



DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES 103 

fill life. Tl^e wage which allows the recipient, man or woman, to 
live poised is to our mind the right definition of a "living wage." 
In view of the closeness of the bond existing between every mem- 
ber of the human family, no man can afford to take from another 
the opportunity to grow and to fulfill the soul's destiny. Talk of 
personal liberty! To shackle men, women and children to a life 
so sordid as to paralyze all the higher faculties is slavery indeed, 
and works untold evil to the slaveholder as well as to his victim. 
To hinder one of the least of our brethren from properly filling hia 
appointed place in the great whole, is to disturb the equilibrium 
of the entire moral and social structure. To interfere with the 
plan of the great Architect, is to invite penalties which no man in 
his right mind would dare bring upon himself. How short-sighted 
are those frenzied with the lust for gold! 

We believe in the eight-hour day as one means toward the attain- 
ment of the balanced life; in courts of conciliation and arbitration 
as makers and preservers of peace, and as bringing men and 
classes and nations to that better understanding of each other 
w^hich shall in no far-off time establish universal peace and w^orld 
federation. We believe in justice, not, observe, as opposed to gain 
•—for in gain per se there is no unfairness — but as opposed to greed 
of gain. Capital as well as labor has its just claims and its just 
rewards. Each has a right to adequate compensation for service 
rendered. Hand service, brain service, money service, should each 
receive in proportion to the value of that which it gives toward 
increasing the true wealth and happiness of mankind. The inter- 
ests of the capitalist and the wage-earner are inter-dependent. 
Mutual recognition of this fact is rapidly gaining ground and must 
before long result in the general adoption of some form of indus- 
tial co-operation. The key to the labor problem, as the key to all 
world problems, is found in the laws of God written in our 
members. 

'Teace on earth, good wall to men!" It was heralded by angels, 
and nineteen brightening centuries have, one by one, testified to its 
advance — an advance which registers the advance of the Kingdom. 
The role of peacemaker naturally belongs to Christian womanhood, 
and the W. C. T. U. is pre-eminently a promoter of brotherly love 
and human kin-ness. Good-will is ever an attendant of peace. 
As "desire for the well-being of others," it writes the Golden Rule 
upon the heart, banishes intemperance, impurity, injustice, every- 
thing that hurts or destroys, and ushers in the era of better man- 
ners, purer laws. Together, peace and good will evolutionize and 



104 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C, T. 77. 

revolutionize the world, render the mind receptive to the deep 
things of the spirit, give to man the seeing eye, the hearing ear, the 
understanding heart. The aim of the W. C. T. U. is to hasten that 
promised day of the Lord. 

The four pillars, then, upon which the white-ribbon organization 
stands are Total Abstinence, Prohibition, Purity, Peace. "On these 
four," said our National President, Mrs. L. M. N. Stevens, in her 
annual address at Philadelphia, "hang all the law and the prophets 
of the temperance reform as understood by the W. C. T. U." And 
underneath these four are the eternal verities, the bed-rock of 
divine law and order, whose truth Jesus Christ came to bear wit- 
ness to, whose gospel He declared. 



II. Our Pledge 

We therefore formulate, and for ourselves adopt the following pledge, 
asking our sisters and brothers of a common danger and a common hope, 
to make common cause with us, in working its reasonable and helpful 
precepts into the practice of everyday life. 

I heredy solemnly promise, God helping me, to abstain from all 
distilled, fermented and malt liquors, including Wine, Beer and 
Cider, and to employ all proper means to discourage the use of and 
traffic in the same. 

We have seen that the principles upon which the W. C. T. U. 
stands reach to the "deep things of God;" that they are eternally 
fixed, eminently substantial. Pure principle sub-stands all things, 
underlies thought itself. And it is energizing. It constrains to 
belief and belief constrains to action, God Himself working through 
the believer to will and to do. We believe in the principles enu- 
merated and discussed in the preceding articles — in the coming of 
the Kingdom, in the Golden Rule, in the equality of man and 
woman, in justice, peace and good will — therefore, we do some- 
thing. We translate our creed into deed. 

And first we take upon ourselves a solemn and sacred obligation. 
Every white ribboner may truly say, "My life is a vow;" a vow 
which includes the keeping of myself and of my brother; a vow 
which involves duty to each and every person as individual parts 
of the great whole. For my own protection, I promise to abstain 
from intoxicating liquor; for my neighbor's protection, or as a step 
thereto, I promise to discourage all use of and traffic in the same. 
As accompanying our Declaration of Principles, the Pledge touches 
in letter and in spirit the top notch of total abstinence precept. 
Time was when there were some even among W. C. T. U. women 
who were not quite ready to banish alcohol in medicine, or in cook- 
ery, but since the W. C. T. U. pledge was first formulated, temper- 



DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES 105 

ance agitation has become so widespread, temperance education !n 
different directions has made such rapid strides, and temperance 
organization has worked such wonders, that about the only bit of 
ground alcohol now finds to stand upon is that of depraved appetite 
and revenue. 

It is well to emphasize the fact that for the W. C. T. U. woman 
the law which "forbids" the passing through her lips, of every kind 
of alcoholic liquor, has its source in no outside power organized or 
unorganized; it comes from her Maker Himself and is written In 
the members of her own human organism. It is the Christian 
woman's own higher, quickened self which forbids. 

"God helping me." As Christian women we realize that it is not 
by human might or power but by the divine Spirit that evil is van- 
quished, dangerous propensities overcome. That Spirit prompts to 
right desire, transmutes desire into right doing and through the 
power of God*s love and law fulfills for us the desire of our hearts. 
This pledge of abstinence from and war against liquor is a practical 
and inevitable outcome of the temperance apostle's creed. It is 
the initial step in the fulfilling of the desire of the W. C. T. U. 
heart as set forth in Answer No. 1, of our Catechism, viz., "The 
protection of the home, the abolition of the liquor traffic and the 
triumph of Christ's Golden Rule in custom and in law." The reo 
sonahleness of the precepts embodied in the pledge will, in view 
of the principles which sustain it, not be denied. Of the Lord, 
and through Him and to Him are all things, bodies as well as souls, 
therefore, to present our bodies to Him and to persuade others to 
do the same is "reasonable service." And how great the reward! 
For, being reasonable, that is, in conformity to God's laws, help- 
fulness is assured to both body and soul. Perceiving the common 
origin of mankind, hence the common danger, the Woman's Chris- 
tian Temperance Union truly exemplifies the Christ spirit and the 
Christ teaching when it asks every lover of his kind — all sisters 
and brothers — to make common cause in bringing these same rea- 
sonable and helpful precepts into the practice of every day life. 
And thus our Pledge resolves itself into the first forward move- 
ment of our organization toward the development of its constantly 
expanding protective policy. 



111. Our Methods 

To confirm and enforce the rationale of this pledge, we declare our 
purpose to educate the young; to form a better public sentiment; to 
reform, so far as possible, by religious, ethical and scientific means, the 
drinking classes; to seek the transforming power of divine grace for our- 
selves and all for whom we work, that they and we may wilfully transcend 



106 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U. 

no law of pure and wholesome living; and finally we pledge ourselves to 
labor and to pray that all these principles, founded upon the Gospel of 
Christ, may be worked out into the Customs of Society and the Laws of 
the Land. 

The scope and logical basis of the Pledge having been indicated, 
it remains to consider the methods by which we give to its "reason- 
able and helpful precepts" dynamic force and concrete expression. 
Our Creed suggests the ivhy of the W. C. T. U., Our Pledge the 
what, Our Methods the how. 

In carrying out the concept of the white ribbon pledge and in 
applying its principles to the practice of every day life, our work- 
ing plan naturally unfolds itself in three-sided form. Formation, 
Reformation, Transformation — a purposeful triad indeed! Together 
they constitute, it may be said, an equilateral triangle, in that each 
side is of equal importance in promoting the cause of Christian 
Temperance. A straight line leads from the great universe of truth 
to each of the three, and that is Information. We white-ribboners 
teach. Through the public school, through platform, pulpit, press, 
we educate and agitate. Religion, ethics, science, are all on our 
side, are all infallible allies and supporters of the Christian Tem- 
perance idea. Our triangle is encompassed by the love and wisdom 
of the Kingdom, its points touch the circumference of our all-round, 
inclusive aim and reach to the radiant spaces beyond. 

The three phases of W. C. T. U. purpose are embodied in six 
main lines of work with their respective departments and branches. 
Defining Christian Temperance as "Moderation in all things good 
and total abstinence from all things evil," our organization deals 
with the liquor traffic and kindred evils from the viewpoint of its 
declared principles — hence its horizon is wide and always widen- 
ing. Recognizing the interdependence and interaction of all re- 
forms, and that every philanthropy has its temperance aspect, we 
realize that the power which works most effectively for righteous- 
ness is that which definitely relates itself to the whole field of 
humanitarian endeavor. Hence our forty different departments and 
our Do-Everything policy. The W. C. T. U. has often been likened 
to the banyan tree, and a more fitting illustration of this anomaly 
among organizations could hardly be found. Like the banyan tree 
its branches are continually reaching out and taking root in new 
places; like the banyan tree it grows in every direction and year 
by year covers more ground; like the banyan tree it is many in 
one and the more it is divided the stronger it becomes. In mak- 
ing good its three-fold plan the v/hite-ribbon organization, with a 
wisdom and a courage born of Omniscience, takes and holds every 



DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES 107 

vantage ground, invades every realm, bombards every fort in pos- 
session of the enemy. It lays claim to the home domain by the 
divine right of motherhood, pre-empts school territory in the name 
of Science, takes advantage of its church relationships to array the 
mighty power of the Church on the side of the Home against the 
Saloon, carries the Home Protection idea into society, forces the 
same idea into the political arena — at every point where the Cause 
of the Kingdom may be furthered W. C. T. U. standard-bearers 
and W. C. T. U. machinery are found. Miss Willard used to say 
that whenever the W. C. T. U. discovered a woman with a mission 
it laid hold upon her, took her in and straightway sent her out 
with a commission. 



"The power of divine grace" is in and through all W. C. T. U. 
effort. All who read these lines are familiar with the early history 
of the white ribbon movement. They know what part the 146th 
Psalm had in kindling that fire which during one winter burned 
fierce and high with leaping, irregular flame, and then subsided into 
the fixed and steady glow which today illumines the entire world; 
they know why the Crusade Psalm is called the Magna Charta of 
the W. C. T. U. In prayer and in the word of God we put our 
trust. We may, without apology, adapt the words of Drummond 
and say that "prayer is the breathing function" of the W. C. T. U. 
"An embodied prayer," Lady Henry Somerset has called the white 
ribbon organization. "Organized mother-love" is another name for 
it. True characterizations both! We v'^ciy and we work. We pray 
without ceasing for ourselves and for others; we work in season 
and out of season that our prayers may be answered; and we do 
both with the blessed assurance that the universal Father will 
transform the natural man with all his inherited and acquired ten- 
dencies into the spiritual man with desires in harmony with the 
laws of health and purity — will make of him a new creature in 
Christ Jesus. 

"And finally" — Here we have a very large promise. It involves 
not only faithful prayer and fervent exhortation, but persistent 
labor of the most exacting and strenuous kind. Our principles — 
and we have seen how insistent and comprehensive their nature — 
are to be set forth, re-presented, by custom and by law, and we 
pledge ourselves as an organization to the securing of such repre- 
sentation, to the work of translating these principles into the social 
and legal code of our times. Co-operating with those of like mind 
with us, we consecrate ourselves to the establishment of such cus- 



108 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. 0. T. U, 

torn as shall lead men up, not down — toward the Father's house 
and the Father's abundance, not toward the far country and soul 
famine — and to the enactment of such law as shall be founded upon 
these principles, as these principles are founded upon that gospel 
formulated by Christ in the **two great commandments" — love to 
God and love to our neighbor. 

Truly the ribbon white is a badge particularly appropriate for an 
organization so far-reaching — so deep as to principle, so broad as 
to policy. White, the inclusive, no color because combining all col- 
ors. Colors of the Kingdom are the seven in one. Token of serv- 
ice to the King is the knot of white on the breast of a W. C. T. U. 
woman — recognized and respected the world over as emblem of 
peace, purity, total abstinence and prohibition. Silently, but 
potently it speaks "For God and Home and Every Land;" silently, 
but eloquently it tells of mother love and woman's achievement. 
The more our thought dwells upon the Woman's Christian Tem- 
perance Union and its meaningful claims, the more deeply are we 
impressed with its Christ-like inclusiveness. The more we reflect 
upon the harmony of its policy with its principles and the adapta- 
tion of its methods to its policy, the more firmly are we persuaded 
of its divine origin. Inspired, surely, must have been not only 
the framers of our Declaration of Principles, but also the choosers 
of our badge, our motto and our name! Like the apostles of old 
perhaps the founders of the W. C. T. U. builded better than they 
knew. 

The essential qualities which have from the beginning distin- 
guished white ribbon methods and which have been large factors 
in the organization's marvelous growth and development, may be 
summed up in the words of a resolution framed by Miss Willard 
and adopted at its first convention: "Trusting in Him who is the 
Prince of Peace, we will meet argument with argument, misjudge 
ment with patience, denunciation with kindness, and all our dif- 
ficulties and dangers with prayer." 

And there is always a "next thing." Not until "the kingdoms of 
this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ," 
not until men are "transformed by the renewing of their minds 
that they may prove what is that good and acceptable will of God" 
toward all mankind, will the work of organized mother-love be 
accomplished. The Woman's Christian Temperance Union has a 
long and busy future before it, and its expectations are aptly 
expressed in these words of the Master: "Oh woman, great is thy 
faith; be it unto thee even as thou wilt!" 



THE STORY OF THE POLYGLOT PETITION 

FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE HOME. 

Addressed to the Governments of the World. 

Honored Rulers, Representatives and Brothers: 

We, your petitioners, although belonging to the physically weaker 
sex, are strong of heart to love our homes, our native land, and the 
world's family of nations. 

We know that clear brains and pure hearts make honest lives and 
happy homes, and that by these the nations prosper, and the time is 
brought nearer when the world shall he at peace. 

We knoxo that indulgence in alcohol and opium, and in other vices 
which disgrace our social life, makes misery for all the world, and 
most of all for us and our children. 

We know that stimulants and opiates are sold under legal guar- 
antees which make the governments partners in the traffic, by 
ax^cepting as revenue a portion of the profits, and we know with 
shame that they are often forced by treaty upon populations either 
ignorant or unwilling. 

We knoio that the law might do much now left undone to raise 
the moral tone of society and render vice difficult. 

We have no power to prevent these great iniquities beneath which 
the whole world groans, but you have power to redeem the honor 
of the nations from an indefensible complicity. 

We therefore come to you with the united voices of representa- 
tive women of every land beseeching you to raise the standard of 
the law to that of Christian morals, to strip away the safeguards 
and sanctions of the state from the drink traffic and the opium 
trade, and to protect our homes by the total prohibition of these 
curses of dvilhation throughout all the territory over which your 
government extends. 



The first thought of this Polyglot Petition came to Miss Willard, 
the president of the National W. C. T. U. of the United States, in 
1884 in her study at Rest Cottage, Evanston, 111., while following 
in thought the work of the first World's missionary, Mrs. Leavitt, 
and after reading a book on current reforms in which the evils of 
the opium trade were set forth with remarkable clearness and 
power. The thought was part of the wide world outlook of thar, 
great soul. She was in all things a leader, and a true leader has 
the vision of a seer, and that vision pierced the veil of years and 
read the power of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union with 
the nations. So seeing, she led out; led out by prayer and thought 
and plan, by inspired and inspiring speech, by thousands of letters 

109 



110 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U. 

written by her own hand, dictated or suggested, by countless inter- 
views with the powerful persons of the land and with representa- 
tives of the press, by acts of wisdom and suggestive recommenda- 
tions, led always ahead of the hour, that when the hour struck the 
women might be in readiness to meet that king of temperance 
kings, Opportunity. 

Those who realize the true heart of mankind are optimists. 
Frances E. Willard knew the hearts of her brothers and believed 
in the effectiveness of woman's appeal. She recommended the use 
of petitions. She knew that each work is a living work, and that 
woman's simple request for simple right would not be wholly set 
aside. Nor has it been set aside. And so Miss Willard put upon paper 
the Polyglot Petition, the legitimate fruit of the Crusade hours 
when consecrated women lifted holy hands of faith to God for the 
removal of the drink curse. The Petition has outlived in material 
presence on the earth, thousands of those who set their names to 
its prayer. It has outlived hundreds of those who were directly 
in touch with its making. It has outlived scores of those who spent 
days and weeks in prayer and work and travel that its prayer might 
be heard and heeded. It has outlived the one who made it possible. 
Hundreds who will read these lines know little about its history, 
have never looked upon its prodigious folds. Some, whose young 
eyes brighten, thinking of the glorious leader whom they have never 
seen, but whom having not seen they love to follow, will not only 
become deeply interested in the mission of the Polyglot Petition, 
but will work for it in the same spirit that she, but for whom it 
might never have been, worked. 

The story of the Polyglot Petition is in part the story of the 
World's W. C. T. IT. Its first presentation to a convention was by 
Mrs. Mary B. Willard at the International Temperance Conference 
at Antwerp, Belgium, September 12, 1885. Mrs. Mary Clement 
Leavitt carried it to all the countries she visited, as did all the 
other missionaries of the World's W. C. T. U., and it proved to be 
a tie to bind thousands of hands and hearts in one common work 
for the uplift of humanity. 

"Introduce the Petition Everywhere" 

In the "Plan for the World's W. C. T. U.," promulgated by Miss 
Willard at Philadelphia, Pa., in the twelfth annual convention, No- 
vember, 1885, she said: 

"Introduce the petition everywhere. Its very breadth of meaning 
will help to pave its way. * * * Every signature sets several 



STORY OF THE POLYGLOT PETITION 111 

thoughts in motion and helps to educate the l)rain behind the hand 
that writes." 

This introducing of the petition "everywhere" meant not only 
days of labor to those directly interested, but kept many workers 
busily employed week after w^k. Mrs. Mary A. Woodbridge, who 
was the corresponding secretary of the World's and National W. 
C. T. U., sent out the printed slips with blanks for signatures and 
addresses, singly and in packages, to temperance workers the world 
around. Miss Alice E. Briggs, for many years the efficient office 
secretary of the World's organization, gathered in the returning 
documents, and every mail brought an increasing volume. In 
Wales, Miss Gwenlian Morgan superintended the British section of 
the work. 

Mounted in National Colors 

But how were they to be preserved, these individual sheets, com- 
ing to World's Headquarters in Chicago, from north, south, east, 
west, and the islands of the sea, from dignitaries and the plain 
"people," and bearing upon them the script of fifty languages? It 
w^as like Miss Willard to think largely. Why not have the petition 
put into monster form so that men might see with their mortal 
eyes, as well as hear with their mortal ears, something of what 
women were doing toward the annihilation of the liquor traffic? 

Mrs. Rebecca C. Shuman, of Evanston, a devoted white ribboner, 
for love of the caAise, took the petition to her heart and home. The 
thousands upon thousands of signed petitions were turned over to 
her, and the work of mounting them on webs of muslin began, 
Mrs. Shuman often working sixteen hours a day. She mounted 
the slips on strips of muslin one-half yard wide and bound at the 
edges with red and blue braid, thus making the material dress of 
the petition national in its colors. The names averaged four 
columns abreast. The bolts of white muslin piled up and rolled 
up. Two thousand yards of muslin, not including that used for the 
British portion, were bound with 4,000 yards of braid. Mrs. Shu- 
man's daily mail was often of bushel-basket dimension. The work 
was done in her private residence, and the mail "dumped" by the 
interested carrier upon her parlor floor, v/ould have dismayed a less 
enthusiastic worker. 

Miss Willard, calling on Mrs. Shuman one day and seeing the 
rolls and billows of the great petition flowing through parlor and 
dining-room, winding away through the reception hall, and piled up 
in the corners, compared the scene to a descent of locusts upon 
Egypt. It took Mrs. Shuman on an average of two years, counting 



112 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W, C. T. V. 

eight hours to a day, to accomplish the work. All the stitching 
was done by hand. Those who have seen the petition, which when 
folded compactly away fills seven good sized strong packing boxes, 
cannot resist the thought of the pathos of that pasting and stitch- 
ing, day and night, a sheet at a time, and a stitch at a time. Would 
the finish ever come? It certainly did come, and is it not by a stitch 
at a time that the women of the World's W. C. T. U. are overtaking 
the monster traffic whose cursed folds wind in and out and about 
their homes and interests? A stitch at a time, a prayer at a time, a 
sacrifice here and a supreme effort there, and faith and courage and 
hope all the time, and God overhead! One day, please Him, we shall 
see the cruel folds of the monster against whose venom and strength 
the petition is arrayed, shut into a box, the "lid" put on, nailed and 
riveted down by the will of the governments of the nations, and 
forever buried out of sight. 

First Appearance in Public 

At the first Convention of the World's W. C. T. U., in 1891, the 
white folds of the Petition (not then even completed) draped the 
walls of Faneuil Hall, Boston, and served the same purpose in Tre- 
mont Temple during the National Convention following. 

The Petition's first public presentation outside W. C. T. U, circles 
took place at Washington, D. C, in 1895. Its sweeping yards deco- 
rated the great Convention hall seating 7,000 persons. The meet- 
ings continued three days, February 15, 16, 17 — gatherings of phe- 
nomenal brilliancy and enthusiasm. Miss Willard said: 

If the reception accorded to the monster Petition in the land of 
its thought and birth, is, as we believe, typical of those which 
await it in its round-the-world touring, it will have from first to 
last a triumphal procession. 

Presented to President Cleveland 
These meetings culminated on February 19 in an interview 
accorded to Miss Willard and a group of representative associates 
by President Grover Cleveland at the White House. The petition 
at that time represented 1,121,200 actual names, and Miss Willard 
said in her address to the President: *'Nor will we ever rest until 
we have 2,000,000 actual, besides the present 5,000,000 additional 
signers by attestation." Writing afterwards to The Union Signal 
of this presentation the gentle petitioner characterizes the presiden- 
tial reception of the document and the President's response, as pre- 
eminently ''safe,'" permitting italics to convey what courtesy per- 
haps forbade putting into cold type. The Polyglot Petition, although 
a woman's petition, was indorsed by about 1,000,000 men, and in 



STORY OF THE POLYGLOT PETITION 113 

the 5,000,000 people represented by the form of accession to its 
thought known as "attestation," perhaps almost another million of 
our brothers was represented. 

Next Goes to England — Received by Queen Victoria 

The Petition was next taken to London, where it was the central 
feature of the Third Biennial Convention of the World's W. C. T. U. 
Permission had been obtained to present it to Queen Victoria, and 
for this purpose photographs were made, and two costly volumes 
representing the signatures secured in the British Empire were 
sent to the Queen in 1896. 

In April, 1898, the Petition was presented to the Canadian gov- 
ernment by Mrs. L. M. N. Stevens, on behalf of the World's W. C. 
T. U., at a great meeting in Ottawa arranged by the 
Canadian W. C. T. U. It was received on behalf of the government 
by the Premier, Sir Wilfred Laurier. 

Value of Concrete Testimony 

Once the word "spectacular" was applied to the Petition because 
of its preservation and presentation in bulky material form, and 
the question was raised as to the value of such spectacular move- 
ment in the work of impressing the thought of men. Why take the 
time, the trouble and the expense of handling a Petition of such 
weight and length and bulk? 

What, we ask in response, is the value of exhibitions and exposi- 
tions and fairs, from the primitive village "show" to the stupendous 
World's Fairs? Simply the value of concrete testimony. Men 
desire to see and touch, that they may believe. Names tell. Words 
are living. When the Divine Word was embodied in a Name, and 
men learned to love the visible One who bore the Name, the divine 
life swept forward in victory. 

The Polyglot Petition is not all-powerful. But it is the outward 
and visible signature of part of the womanhood and manhood of 
the world. 



THE UNION SIGNAL 

Its Origin and History 

At the first National Convention held at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1874, 
a committee was appointed to consider the establishment of a paper 
as the organ of the union. This committee consisted of Mrs. Annie 
Wittenmyer, Pennsylvania; Mrs. S. J. Steele, Wisconsin; Mrs. S. A. 
Gifford, Massachusetts; Mrs. E. E. Marcy, Illinois; Miss Emma 
Janes, California, and Mrs. Mary C. Johnson, New York. Being 
unable to formulate definite plans before the close of the conven- 
tion, the committee was given full power to act. 

At the second annual convention, held at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 
1875, Mrs. E. E. Marcy, secretary of the Committee on Publication 
Interests, reported that, after overcoming the various hindrances 
incident to such an enterprise, the project of publishing an official 
organ had been inaugurated the previous June. The paper was 
called The Woman's Temperance Union, and six numbers had been 
issued up to the time of the convention. Mrs. Wittenmyer, as 
chairman of the committee, was the active publisher, with Mrs. Jen- 
nie Fowler-Willing as editor and Mary C. Johnson and Frances B. 
Willard as contributing editors. Mrs. Willing, writing of the 
enterprise, says: 

We launched it very timidly. Mrs. Wittenmyer had a little paper 
of her own, the Christian Woman, so she had some experience. I 
had never edited anything more than a department in a missionary 
paper, so this enterprise made me feel as if I were taking passage 
in a balloon, hunting for the North Pole. Nothing but faith in God 
has carried the undertaking to its present wide influence and excel- 
lence. 

It is of present-day interest to note the arguments offered during 
the discussion for the adoption and support of an official paper: 

It must be understood by our ladies that if we sustain a paper, 
it is only by their active co-operation. A few persons who are bear- 
ing the burden of this effort are not competent to its permanent 
success, only as they are sustained by the mass of the people inter- 
ested in the temperance work. 

The necessity of such an instrumentality in our work we shall 
not stop to urge. It suffices to say that it is essential to the per- 
manency of our organization. It is the only visible bond that 
holds our widely varying and widely diffused local endeavors. 
And in reference to this variety, permit me further to add, that we 
hope to develop in this organ an instrument adapted to the variety 

114 



THE UNION SIGNAL 115 

of interests and the culture of each and all interested in the tem- 
perance work. This also is the work of time, and, allow me to say, 
it is also entirely dependent upon your efforts in our behalf. Everv 
subscriber returns an added impulse and a])ility to make it what 
we propose it shall be — the woman's temperance paper of the land. 
This report included also resolutions drafted by the Committee 
on Publication Interests, one of which was as follows: 

Whereas, The paper published by the National Temperance Union as 
Its organ Is one of the strongest bonds to hold together our interests 
in separate localties, devoted as it is to our work, 

Resolved, That we, as delegates, pledge ourselves a certain number of 
subscribers in our several states, and in case of failure, to raise money 
to cover the amount subscribed. 

It is recorded that ''much discussion followed," and an amend- 
ment was adopted eliminating the financial responsibility on the 
part of the states, but there was a generous pledging of subscrip- 
tions, Maine leading off with a pledge of 100. Mrs. Mary C. John- 
son became the publisher at this time, with Mrs. Mary T Burt as 
her assistant, and, later, her successor. Mrs. Willing continued as 
editor until the Newark Convention in 1876, when Miss Margaret 
Winslow was elected editor, with Mrs. S. K. Bolton, Ohio; Mrs. 
Helen E. Brown, New York; Mrs. Mary T. Lathrap, Michigan; Miss 
Julia Colman, New York; Mrs. Jennie F. Willing, Illinois; Mrs. 
Mary C. Johnson, New York, and Miss Frances E. Willard, Illinois, 
as contributing editors. 

During the next year the name of the paper was changed to Our 
Union and at the fourth annual meeting held in Chicago, "A motion 
prevailed that Miss Margaret E. Winslow, editor of Our Union, be 
made a member of the Convention." The publisher's report showed 
an indebtedness on the paper and "Miss Willard then moved that 
the secretary proceed to call the roll of the states, and the delegates 
respond and pledge the number of subscribers they would become 
responsible for the ensuing year. Pledges to the number of 12,957 
were received, and much enthusiasm prevailed." Among the recom- 
mendations for the year's work was one relating to Our Union 
which read: 

Each state will be expected to pledge itself, through its dele- 
gates, for a specified number of copies. Our local unions have come 
up nobly to the rescue, but we expect a largely increased enthusi- 
asm in the year to come. 

The report of the Publishing Committee for that year closes with 
this paragraph: "Firm in the faith that a grand future is before 
this paper, 'of the women for the women,' we commit its interests 
to this Convention of Christian temperance workers, and to Him 
who has helped us hitherto." 



116 A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE W. C. T. U. 

At the Convention of 1878, held in Baltimore, the Publishing 
Committee reported that the paper had come through the year free 
from debt and with a small balance in the treasury. This report, 
signed by Frances E. Willard, Jane M. Geddes, Caroline B. Buell 
and Esther Pugh, closed with the following exhortation: 

We feel that, in the interests of Our Union, we must urge this 
Convention to impress upon the local auxiliaries that they have one 
National official organ, and one only; since there are other papers 
prominently circulated and largely subscribed for by temperance 
women, which are by many supposed to be equally entitled to their 
patronage, which, as our experience proves, interfere greatly with 
the circulation of Our Union. 

Having laid before our sisters such phases of the paper as the 
yearns experience has developed we ask them to consider, prayer- 
fully and with all due deliberation, their duty to a paper which is 
endeared to us as to them by long and earnest labors on its behalf. 

In 1883 Our Union was consolidated with The Signal, a temper- 
ance paper owned and published in Chicago by the Woman's Tem- 
perance Publishing Association. The Signal had represented our 
rapidly growing work in the west for a period of three years. Mrs. 
Mary Bannister Willard was its editor, a position which she 
retained when the consolidation was effected. The Union Signal 
made its first appearance January 4, 1883. For twenty years there- 
after our official organ was owned and published by the Woman's 
Temperance Publishing Association of Chicago, which association 
had full control of the paper financially, its editorial policy being 
controlled by the National W. C. T. U. On October 10, 1903, the 
paper was bought outright by the National W. C. T. U. and has 
since been edited and published at National Headquarters in 
Evanston. 

The status and the needs of the paper of today are fully under- 
stood. The thought and the hope of our early workers for this 
"literary child of the Crusade," should inspire the comrades of 
these later years to even greater labor for the fulfillment of that 
hope; and the key-note for that greater labor was sounded by Mrs- 
Lillian M. N. Stevens, our National President and editor-in-chief, at 
Los Angeles, 1905, when she said: 

"I must insist that it is not too much to expect that each local 
union should maintain a subscription list equal in number to one- 
fourth of its membership. Those unions which have reached this 
point are to be congratulated, not alone because they have con- 
formed to this request, but because of the great uplift which must 
Inevitably come to a local union and to a community through the 
liberal reading of The Union Signal, 



THE FRANCES E. WILLARD MEMORIAL 
ORGANIZING FUND 

This fund, for the extension and perpetuation of the principles 
and work of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, was estab- 
lished at the National W. C. T. U. Convention in 1898. Each local - 
W. C. T. U. is urged to arrange for a public meeting on or near Feb- 
ruary 17 of each year, and to send two dollars or more from the 
offering received at that meeting, to the National W. C. T. U. 
treasury for this fund, keeping the balance to aid the local or state 
work. 

Friends of Miss Willard and the "Woman's Christian Temperance 
Union, as well as individuals and churches interested in the prin- 
ciples she advocated, will, it is believed, be glad to unite with white 
ribboners in contributing to this fund, the raising of which is one 
of the leading features of twentieth century effort by the National 
W. C. T. U. 

All contributions sent to the treasurer of the National W. C. T. 
U., Evanston, Illinois, will be gratefully acknowledged. 



The payment of $100.00 at one time to this fund constitutes the 
donor a Life Patron of the National W. C. T. U.; and $25.00 at one 
time, a Life Member of the same. A like sum for a departed friend 
will constitute her or him a Memorial Member. 

If it is desired to remember the National W. C. T. U. or the 
Memorial Fund with a bequest, the following would be a proper 
legal form: 

I give, devise and bequeath to the National Woman's Christian Tem- 
perance Union of the United States, incorporated in the District of Col- 
umbia by Frances E. Willard and twelve other Trustees, the sum of 

dollars, to be used by said corporation in accordance with Its declared 
objects. 



117 



MAR 1 1907 



